There was something special to Caleb in the fact that Zed was letting him stay there, continuing this tender connection. His fingers were still stroking through the other guy’s hair. “I’m sorry you’re feeling shitty, sweetheart,” he said, trying to give him comfort the best way he knew how. There was a lot he’d learned lately about listening, taking in what other people were saying, and meeting them where they were instead of trying to make things fit his own ideals. Zed was what he wanted, and he was damn well going to do his best to love, support, and comfort him along the way. His touches were gentle and reassuring, with the tender familiarity of a lover, and he found himself wondering if this familiarity would’ve been the norm for them if he hadn’t ruined it when they were young. Would they have found a way to be safe together? Would they have spent a thousand quiet nights wrapped up in each other’s arms, their moments given, not stolen? Would Caleb have been able to protect Zed from his abusive fuck of a father? They were stupid questions, he knew. There was no answer to them, because there was no taking it back. “How much longer do you have to be on PEP? I know that can’t be helping.”
Caleb almost didn’t dare to believe that he was hearing what his ears were telling him. Zed wanted him to take him home and stay with him, and Caleb was one hundred percent on board with that. “I’m never too busy for you,” he assured him quietly, looking up as Luke was coming over with the water. “I’m yours as long as you need and want me to be. I’ve met a lot of really great people in New York with awesome relationships, too. And as much as I tried to find something that felt right, it never did with anyone, because I was always wondering if you were the one I was meant to be with and I missed my chance. I want to give that to you… and have it myself. All those nice things that the people we know have.” He thanked Luke as Aussie handed off the bottle of water and Zed took a sip. “Let’s get you home, darlin’,” Caleb said, terms of endearment wrapped in a slow Southern drawl.
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Caleb almost didn’t dare to believe that he was hearing what his ears were telling him. Zed wanted him to take him home and stay with him, and Caleb was one hundred percent on board with that. “I’m never too busy for you,” he assured him quietly, looking up as Luke was coming over with the water. “I’m yours as long as you need and want me to be. I’ve met a lot of really great people in New York with awesome relationships, too. And as much as I tried to find something that felt right, it never did with anyone, because I was always wondering if you were the one I was meant to be with and I missed my chance. I want to give that to you… and have it myself. All those nice things that the people we know have.” He thanked Luke as Aussie handed off the bottle of water and Zed took a sip. “Let’s get you home, darlin’,” Caleb said, terms of endearment wrapped in a slow Southern drawl.