Riley made a show of pursing his lips, backing off an inch. Brent didn’t exactly want him to back off, but it did make it a little easier to gather his thoughts.
“I love you, too,” Brent said. He held up a single finger to stop Riley from responding, since Riley had already opened his mouth and taken a breath to do so.
“I want you to stay. It’s taken… alotof bullshit for me to realize that, but I can’t imagine my life without you. You’ve always been there, and now… I think it’s our time. I don’t think this would have worked before right now. You’re ready to come home. I’m ready to be your home. Stay with me?”
Riley nodded, and Brent could see tears springing up in his eyes, too. He lunged forward, wrapping Brent in a bone-crushing hug and knocking the wind out of him.
Brent couldn’t bring himself to care. This was what he wanted. He wanted Riley, and everything that came with him. Every part of him. Not just the neat and tidy ones.
He hugged back, as tight as he could, promising himself that he’d never let go. Not for anything.
“This is our time,” Riley agreed.
Brent sniffed, wiping his tears on his sleeve and taking a few heaving breaths as Riley let go of him, only to lean against his chest, his head resting on Brent’s shoulder.
“I’m exhausted,” Brent admitted. After all the worry this morning, after being so sure that he’d lost Riley forever, this was all too much for him.
Not in a bad way. It was just that he wanted to sleep for a hundred years right now.
Riley hummed softly, breathing a deep, heavy sigh and letting more of his weight fall against Brent.
That was fine. Brent could take it.
“Me too,” Riley agreed. “You think we could take a nap? If you haven’t got anywhere better to be?”
“Not today,” Brent said. “You’re my best offer by a long way.”
Riley took a step back, holding his hand out. “Then lead the way.”
Brent took it, smiling at the gesture. He could get used to Riley following him.
