49
" Why… why is he like that?” AK’s face tightened, a protective expression adorning his features. “Just the way he is, Maddie. Flame’s different. But it don’t make him any less fucking important.” “Look, Madds. Flame just thinks different to you and me. Probably some condition he’s got, that he was born with. But he don’t know what that is, and honestly, even if I thought I knew what it could be, it’s none of my fucking business. He’s Flame. He’s my fucking brother, condition or not. "
― Tillie Cole , Souls Unfractured (Hades Hangmen, #3)
50
" May I care for you?” Flame nodded his head, and placing my hands on his scarred tattooed skin, I began to wash him, showing with my touch how much he meant to me. I soaped over his arms and across his chest. The entire time I did so, his eyes never moved from mine. Then as my hands moved down his hard stomach, he caught my wrist. I looked up in panic, but the soft expression on his face quickly assuaged any worry. I waited for him to speak, then he finally rasped, “No one has ever cared for me like this before.” My heart cracked, because as much as my life had been difficult, and as much as I had shunned their affection, I had my sisters. But for Flame… there was no one. Leaning in, until my breasts pressed against his hard chest, I said, “That is in the past. Because I will care for you every day for the rest of our lives. You are my Flame. I will treasure you always. More than you will ever know. "
― Tillie Cole , Souls Unfractured (Hades Hangmen, #3)