"Would you really take him?" I asked. It was silly. Pathetic even, but I liked him. The thought of him taking him away? It didn't settle right.

He gave me a considering look before he shook his head. "No. I was joking. Comfort items should never be taken away. Not even as a punishment."

My tower fell. Deacon, who sat on the other side of the table, used his hand to stop them from falling off. He began to gather them into a pile, checking they were all there before he placed them back into the stupid box he kept them in.

"Am I staying with you again tonight?" I...