“But what does that mean?” I whispered to Dr. Miller as I stared at the MRI results she had given to me, Kawe squeezing my shoulder from behind, “Is it good or bad?”

“Asher,” she moved closer to me on her stool and took the papers before gently squeezing my hands, “it’s amazing. You won’t need the cane anymore. We use those,” she pointed to a set of leg braces on a chair that was matched to the length of my legs, “and they stabilize you when you move around. That’s the biggest issue you have. It’s not a lack of strength that stops your legs from wanting to function; it’s simply stability. You’re exerting so much extra energy trying to keep your balance. The compressed disc in your neck has also gone back to as normal as can be. The headaches will stop. By using the braces, your balance will be better, and you won’t be nearly as tired as you were. The weakness will always be there, rarely subsiding, but it’ll take three times as long to exhaust you.”

“Will he be able to walk around more easily? Go for longer walks?” Kawe smiled, and I reached up to hold his hand.

“Absolutely.”

“Stairs?” I muttered.

“I’d still use a railing or someone to support you as you adjust to moving with the braces, but they should be less of an issue from now on. I want you to wear these anytime you’re going to be on your feet. For the first six weeks, use your cane as well, but sparingly. It’s going to be an adjustment. It was either this, or surgery again to try and realign things, add new plates and screws but I don’t think it’s necessary. I leave it up to you.”

“What is the success rate of the surgery?”

“30 percent.”

“That’s not good enough then,” I shrugged, reaching over to grab the braces, “it’s funny. Both of my parents use highly advanced prosthetics, and here I am relying on braces my great-great-grandfather once used.”

“We have better ones that are more advanced, but your insurance only covers about 75 percent of the cost. These are free.”

“How much would those be? The more expensive ones?” Kawe called, using his free hand to rub the nape of my neck.

“Two thousand.”

“Order them,” he nodded, and my eyes grew wide, “and have them shipped to Asher’s home on Pitt Island. I’ll give whoever they need my account information.”

“Kawe! No,” I rapidly shook my head, “Tau, please don’t think you have to do this. I can afford it myself if I want to down the line.”

“I’d rather you have the more advanced ones as soon as we can get them. Use these,” he poked the braces I had in my lap, “as a backup if something were to happen to the others.”

“They run on external batteries, similar to your cochlear,” Dr. Miller smiled, “They essentially work as an exoskeleton for your legs. I’d use them primarily, but if you lose power, then rely on these.”

“Where do I go to pay for them?” Kawe nodded again.

“Front desk,” Dr. Miller pointed to the door, and Kawe kissed me before walking out of the room, “he’s a good man.”

“Yeah, too good. Now I have to figure out how to pay him back. I swear, having a boyfriend who lives to take care of everyone around him is exhausting.”

“I think you’re the primary focus, to be fair. This is amazing. Be happy. It absolutely could have gone the other way, and I want you to be aware of that. There was a chance I would walk in here and either nothing would have changed or you’d be wheelchair bound. Instead, you’re starting to heal properly.”

“True… thank you, Dr. Miller.”

Dr. Miller walked me through how to put the braces on, recommending I always wear pants or leggings under these ones, as they could rub my skin raw. The more advanced set would be worn against my skin and had protective padding for comfort that could be reinforced if needed. Kawe returned as I did the strap along my hips and gently took my hands, helping me to my feet with a smile.

“Holy crap,” I gasped, looking down, “What in the world…”

“Feel nice and sturdy now?” Dr. Miller laughed softly.

“Yeah. I didn’t remember what this felt like. Wait! Can I carry more than 30 pounds now? Will these allow me to do that while I walk?”

“They will. You can safely carry up to 60 now, I’d say. I’d wait for the new braces before you attempt that, but physically, your back can handle it.”

“Thank… thank you,” I started to cry, and Kawe wrapped me in a hug, my fingers digging into his sweater, “thank you both so much.”

“Absolutely,” Dr. Miller patted my shoulder, “I’ll give you the space to calm down and see you next year.”

“See you then.”

Dr. Miller quickly left as I clung to Kawe, trying to calm my tears. He never spoke, simply rubbing my back and holding me, pressing light kisses to my hair as he did.

“Thank you,” I whispered against his chest, “Why would you do that for me?”

“I’d do anything for you, baby. You know that,” he pinched my chin after I leaned my head back, a calm smile on his face, “I don’t need money, I never have. Just enough to keep my lights and internet on. I make so much as the fire chief, I have no idea what to do with it. I use a lot for the elders who need special medications they can’t afford, and their families can’t cover. I give my parents some for the hotel, Noemh’s fabrics if they’re specialty, and I’ve been paying for your groceries this entire time. Even with all of that, I still have so much damn money I don’t want or need and I know you do too.”

“Yeah, my business is doing really well now that I can fully focus on it instead of Felix’s bullshit. That’s why I told Kamaka not to pay me for the murals. I’ll start soon. Oh… oh my god! I can actually work in longer bursts now, instead of an hour or two a day. You don’t understand how strange it is to stand and not immediately feel like the world is going to open around me or I’m going to be blown over by a simple breeze. I can’t run, but I can walk on my own now!”

“There we go,” he laughed softly, pressing a soft kiss to my lips with a smile, “there you are. I hated seeing you feel horrible about me covering the cost of your braces. I’m your partner, let me care for things when I can. You already do it for me. Ready to go to your parents and surprise them?”

“God, yes. Can we get coffee on the way?”

“You’ll have to order for me, but absolutely. Maybe not coffee, though. Find me something else, please?”

“You got it.”

We left the hospital hand in hand, Kawe carrying my cane over his shoulder as I wanted to be able to walk on my own without it for a moment. It was a strange feeling, walking again without a limp due to the cane, and I reluctantly got into the car, my legs for once calm, muscles still instead of twitching after going a few hundred feet. I waited for Kawe to buckle before taking him to my favorite cafe, his hand tight on my thigh the entire time.

“You’re a better driver than me,” Kawe laughed, opening my door once I had parked.

“I’m a passenger always. I hate driving. But you didn’t know where we were going, so I suppose I can drive you around. Anyway, welcome to Hello Sunday. Do you want something sweet or neutral?”

“Ooh,” Kawe shrugged, sliding his hand into the back pocket of my jeans and taking my arm to help me up the few stairs, “Sweet.”

“You got it,” nodding, I smiled at the barista, “Hello. Can I get a mango and passionfruit smoothie, an Oreo cheesecake frappe, and two lattes?”

“Absolutely,” she smiled, entering my order, “anything else?”

“That’s it.”

“Name?”

“Asher,” I took out my wallet, quickly paying, and Kawe scowled at me, “Stop that. You just paid a lot of money for my braces, I can buy you a smoothie.”

“Fine,” he grumbled, and we moved to the other end of the counter, “It would be nice to have a place like this on the island. The only place to get anything close is the hotel restaurant.”

“We could build one, but neither of us has time for that, and I don’t want to spend the rest of my life behind a counter.”

“Agreed,” he kissed my temple, making me laugh, “Hey?”

“Yeah, Tau?”

“Has Felix called today?”

“Uh…”

“Asher?” the barista called, and Kawe quickly grabbed the drink carrier before helping me back to the car.

“Has he called today?” Kawe repeated as I started the engine.

“I mean… he may have…”

“Goddammit,” he sighed, looking out of the window, “and where was I that caused you not to tell me?”

“Playing with Ava.”

“What did he say?”

“Does it matter?”

“It matters to me. So yes. It matters.”

“Same thing he always does,” I sighed, turning down my parents' street, “called me a freak, told me to be a woman since I barely pass as a man, and that you’re lying to me, leading me on. I just ended it before he could get anything else out.”

“But why do you always answer?”

“I’m owed an apology.”

“He is incapable of truly apologizing for anything he’s ever done. He only says sorry if it means he will get something out of it.”

Kawe climbed out of the car as soon as I parked, and I stared at his retreating back as he went into my parents' house. My heart was low, but I shook it off, walking in after him.

“Oh my god!” Rio laughed as I passed the couch, “Look at ya.”

“Kawe bought me the more advanced ones before I could stop him, but these will be backup. I just have to wear them until I get the new ones.”

“Is he okay?” he whispered, and I shrugged, “Did y’all argue?”

“I don’t think so? He’s upset that Felix called again earlier, and I hadn’t told him about it. Felix calls me multiple times a week. I didn’t think I needed to report every time he did.”

“If Evander called to harass Koa a few times a week, I’d wanna know every time he did. So yes. Ya have to tell Kawe. I’m changin’ your number today, so don’t worry too much. Also,” he held up the latte and I smiled, “thank ya.”

“You’re welcome. Do you know where Kawe went?”

“He’s out back with Bailey.”

“Can you tell him I’m in my room when he comes in? I just want to lie down before dinner.”

“Sure. What time do y’all leave tomorrow?”

“Need to be at the airport by 1.”

“Alright. Koa is gonna take ya, make sure ya remind him.”

“Yeah, I will. Love you.”

“Love ya too.”

I made my way to my room and flopped onto the bed on my stomach, closing my eyes. The door opened a few minutes later, and I refused to move, yawning softly.

“Can’t be comfortable lying down in those,” Kawe whispered, “Do you want me to take them off of you?”

“I don’t plan to be here long. Thanks, though, Tau.”

“I’m upset.”

“I know and… I don’t know how to make it better. I realize I should have told you, but Felix calls and says the same thing all the time. Is it really fun for you to hear him insult me? I can emotionally take it. I grew up hearing that kind of thing from peers in school. But you are so gentle, I can’t imagine it’s easy to hear how he insults me.”

“It’s not. But I want to know because I can remind you that none of that is true. You’re my boyfriend. My unique, gorgeous, intelligent, and talented partner should always express himself however he feels. I need to know that he’s called because it makes me nervous, Asher.”

I flipped onto my back and Kawe gently rubbed my stomach, a look of confusion on his face. I gasped softly when I came to a sudden realization and covered my mouth, “You’re jealous.”

“Duh. Of course I am.”

“Kawe,” I snorted, grabbing the front of his sweater and pulling him on top of me, “I’m yours. For as long as you want me.”

“And if I want you forever?”

“Then I’m yours forever,” I whispered, leaning up to kiss him, “Tau, I don’t feel attracted to someone without a bond. The minute Felix’s lies were exposed, any attraction I had to him left me. Now, I can truly see Felix’s flaws that I ignored before. You are who I want and need. I won’t tell you to stop it, it’s not exactly easy to get past jealousy, but I’m yours.”

“I can’t promise that I won’t be jealous when it comes to you. It’s just who I am. I don’t want people to see what I do. But… I know you won’t leave me,” he ran his fingers through my hair, and I smiled, “I can’t wait until we get home. I love being here, but I miss finding you first thing in the morning, sipping your tea as you doodle or read. It’s not the same being here.”

“We’ll be home tomorrow around four. We can meet your family for our weekly barbeque, then spend the rest of the night on the couch together.”

“Ugh. Can I sleep in your room from now on when I stay over? Until I fix up my house? I hate sleeping away from you. Can I do it tonight? Please. Please, please, please,” he shook me gently, his bottom lip sticking out, and I laughed loudly, tangling my arms around him.

“Yes, Tau. I want to sleep next to you, too.”