“So did I,” Frankie assured, smiling warmly. “Very much.” He touched Snod’s cheek as he reminded
him, “Don’t forget that you promised to go in early today to work with Rees.”
“You promised,” Snod grumbled, pulling the sheets tighter around himself. “I did not.”
“Come on,” Frankie scolded, trying to tug the sheets back off of him.
Snod growled softly and held on tighter. Frankie could have easily gotten them all away from him in
one quick pull, but he let Snod continue to struggle as he dragged them off inch by inch.
Frankie was chuckling, watching Snod fight like hell to pull the sheets from his hand.
“Fine,” Snod grunted, accepting defeat because they both could knew Frankie would eventually win.
“I will get up.”
With a triumphant grin, Frankie carried Snod into a hot shower. They kissed and touched, enjoying the
newly reformed bond bubbling between them. Snod had missed it dearly. Frankie ended up with his
face against the tile and Snod pressed inside behind him.
He had missed that, too.
Dried and dressed, they headed out into the kitchen to make breakfast for everyone. Snod was pleased
to see Lorenzo passed out on the couch, snoring loudly. He went to wake Athaliah, finding him curled
up in a little ball in the corner of his bed.
His little brother looked peaceful, his hair spread out around his face like a halo and a soft smile on
his lips.
Despite his angelic appearance, Snod knew better than to approach without exercising caution. He
gently touched his shoulder, preparing himself to be swung at.
Athaliah jerked awake, hands flying to push Snod away, gasping as he looked around, eyes wide in
terror.
“You’re safe,” Snod soothed, catching his hands and gently squeezing them. “We’re both safe.”
Athaliah nodded breathlessly, smiling as he replied, “And we’re free.”
Snod sat down beside him and hugged him close. His little brother had been plagued by bad dreams
for as long as he could remember. Snod had caught his fair share of elbows and fists over the years
trying to comfort him.
“Yes,” Snod agreed, smiling happily. “We’re finally free.”
“Mmm, I may look for an apartment today,” Athaliah sighed, taking a deep breath. “Tired of crashing
at hotels.”
