A rare blush spread over Seth’s cheeks, creeping its way down to the collar of the bathrobe he was wearing.
He didn’t really believe in wearing clothes in the house, which Oz was more than fine with.
The sex wasn’t all he was there for, either, but it was a nice added bonus.
Seth signed for the boxes without a word, then let the delivery guy out and closed the door behind him.
Oz stepped closer to get back to what they were doing, but Seth stopped him with a hand in the middle of his chest.
“If we start again, Iwillkeep you late, and I don’t want to do that,” Seth said. “I’m trying very hard not to interfere with your life.”
“You’ve completely changed my life.” Oz leaned in, reaching out to stroke Seth’s hair as he pressed another soft kiss to his lips before backing away, as asked.
He could feel how hot—literally hot—Seth was running at the moment, but he really did have to go. Besides, anticipation made everything better. It wouldn’t hurt to keep Seth waiting for a while.
“Hold that thought,” Oz murmured as he backed away, laughing when Seth followed him for a few inches.
“You’re a cruel man,” Seth said, though he didn’t really seem upset about it. “I was going to try my hand at making something for dinner, but…”
“You really don’t have to. I can take care of you.”
“I’m not a gerbil.” Seth raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been managing to be an adult for a while now, even. I know you can take care of me, but I can take care of you, too. Take some of the pressure off. Otherwise I might as well be a Fleshlight you have to feed.”
Oz laughed. “You’re so much more than that, and I think you know it. I know things are rough for you right now. I don’t wanna push.”
“You’re not pushing. I’m offering. I’ll probably set your kitchen on fire and soak one of your cookbooks. But I will try. If that’s okay?”
“This is your home. You’re allowed to use the kitchen however you want.” Oz licked his lips. “I’d appreciate it if you tried not to start a fire, though.”
“I don’tintendto. But you know what they say about the road to hell.” Seth shrugged.
Oz laughed again. “Paved with good intentions. Okay. Be good, and if you can’t be good, be careful.”
He swooped in to peck Seth on the cheek as he went past him to the door, turning before he left to wave goodbye. Seth waved back, like he always did, and Oz left with a smile on his face.
If this was what his life was like now, then life was perfect.
Epilogue
“I didn’t expect to see you at another wedding,” Seth’s father said, appearing behind him suddenly and silently.
Seth hadn’t been entirely sure if he could expect to see him here, either.
“Before you say anything,” his father continued. “Give an old man a moment to talk. First of all, I’m sorry.”
Seth blinked.
His father was sayingsorry? That never happened. Seth couldn’t remember a single time when he’d apologized for anything. Not sincerely, at least.
This… this sounded sincere, which was a shock in its own right.
“Secondly,” he kept going before Seth could say anything. “You were right. I don’t own you, I can’t control you, and I shouldn’t want to, anyway. You’re my son, and I love you, and I realize now that I’ve driven everyone I love away.”
He glanced over Seth’s shoulder. Seth knew exactly who he was looking at. He hadn’t seen his own mother in a number of years, but she’d come to this. Even knowing his father was invited as well.
“Dad…” Seth began, only to be stopped by his father raising a meaningful eyebrow.
