Allen nodded once. His hands slid up Rick’s sides, hesitant at first, then firmer.
Rick kissed him again, deeper this time, and Allen went with it. He even let out a small laugh against Rick’s mouth when Rick kissed the corner of his lips.
Rick pulled back slightly. “There,” he murmured. “That’s you.”
Allen’s smile held for a second, then his gaze slid past Rick’s shoulder toward the kitchen again.
Rick felt his jaw tighten. “You’re still not here.”
“I’m here,” Allen said quickly. Rick waited. Allen blinked once, then he stepped back, not fully away, but enough to break it. He rubbed a hand over his face. “It’s work,” he said. “Someone was a complete asshole today. That’s all.”
Rick watched him turn toward the kitchen. Allen picked up the glass and took a sip, then put it down and wiped a drop off the counter with his thumb.
Rick’s patience thinned. He kept his expression calm. He didn’t like being lied to. He didn’t like the way Allen was using the same lines over and over. Rick could hear the pattern: tired, work, nothing. Simple words that shut doors.
Rick crossed the room and came up behind him, close enough that Allen stiffened before he forced himself to relax. Rick put his hand over Allen’s where it rested on the counter.
“Look at me.” Allen hesitated, then turned. Rick kept his voice low. “If it’s work, fine. Tell me. Don’t shut me out.”
Allen’s eyes flicked down. “It’s nothing.”
“That’s what you said at the restaurant.”
Allen swallowed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Rick’s hand tightened over his, not enough to hurt, just enough to make it clear he wasn’t letting it slide. “You don’t want to talk to me,” Rick said.
It came out harder than he had meant. He heard it. If Allen wanted to pretend, Rick wasn’t going to pretend for him.
Allen’s face shifted expression. Annoyance first, then guilt. “That’s not fair.”
Rick gave a short breath. “You’ve been looking past me all night.”
“That’s not—” Allen stopped and sucked his lips in.
Rick leaned in, mouth near Allen’s ear. “Did I do something?”
Allen went still. “No.”
Rick turned him properly then, one hand at Allen’s wrist, the other at his waist, guiding him until Allen’s back hit the edge of the counter. Allen didn’t fight it, but his body remained tense, and Rick didn’t like that.
Rick didn’t like that feeling. He kept his voice soft. “Tell me what’s going on,” Rick said. “Make it easy.”
Allen’s breathing was shallow now. “Rick…”
Rick held his gaze. “You’re pulling away.”
“I’m not.”
Rick’s mouth twitched. “You are.”
Allen’s hands came up, resting lightly on Rick’s chest. “I’m just tired,” he said, and it was the same line he’d been using all night.
Rick felt his patience thinning. He kissed Allen again, and Allen kissed him back. For a second, Rick almost believed he’d fixed something. Allen always gave him something.
When Rick pulled away, he stayed close. His voice dropped. “Don’t do that,” he said. “Don’t decide something in your head and leave me out of it.”
Allen swallowed. “I’m not deciding anything.”
