“Sure you are.”
We sat in silence for a few moments, sipping our drinks before I placed my empty mug on the bedside table, shifting and nuzzling my face into the crook of Matthew’s neck.
“Tired?”
“Yeah. You are, too.”
“Hm.”
Matthew fell silent for a few seconds, swallowing nervously.
“I love you too.”
My eyelashes fluttered against the side of his neck. Matthew chewed his lip.
“You love me?” I whispered quietly.
“Course.”
I fell silent for a moment, unmoving. “Yeah, I guess that was kind of a given.”
“Fuckoff.”
“Sleep.Feel better in the morning.”
I fell asleep with a smile on my face.
I was roused by movement under my head. I blearily blinked my eyes open, rolling away from the warmth encasing me.
“Morning.”
I jerked my head up and was met with Matthew’s soft smile. He was propped up on his elbows, hair frazzled and eyes fatigued.
“How long have you been awake?” I asked through a yawn that I didn’t even bother trying to stifle.
“Dunno. Not long. Figured we’d have to head back soon or they’ll catch us.”
Peeking out of the window, I noted it was still dark outside. I groaned, throwing an arm over my face “fuck. I forgot about that.”
Matthew laughed quietly.
A silence settled between us, heavy with anticipation.
I opened and closed my mouth a few times before deciding to take the plunge“you know…that we won’t be able to come out, right?” I whispered “Stryker’s cool, but-“
“I know. We’d get beaten, locked up, maybe killed.” Matthew licked his lips, rubbing his jaw nervously “that’s not what I’m asking of you.”
“Yeah.” I whispered “I…I’m with you. I won’t cheat again. They’ve got nothing on you, I promise.”
Matthew rolled his eyes fondly “thanks.” He grumbled.
“Can we…this.” I reached over and tapped Matthew’s wrist “can’t…you can’t.”
“I know. I was…I struggle with depression.” He whispered “and…da signed me up because he said that being busy every day would help. He was right for the most part. Sometimes it just…creeps up on me, I guess.”
“Does anyone else know?” I asked in a low voice, beginning to trace his scars with my thumb.
“My family, you, Jack kind of suspects something might be off.”
