Chapter 36

Morning after the fight, Javier tried getting up but Messiah just held on tighter, face pressed against his neck.

"I gotta get ready for work chiquito."

"No." Messiah's voice was muffled. "Stay."

"Since when you this clingy?" But Javier was smiling, running his hand down Messiah's back.

"Shut up." But Messiah didn't let go.

"For real though baby, I got clients-"

"Carry me then."

"Oh that's how we doing it now?" Javier laughed but scooped him up anyway, feeling how Messiah immediately wrapped around him.

In the kitchen Messiah stayed close while Javier made coffee, arms around his waist from behind. Usually he wasn't like this but something about their fight, about finally being honest... it made him want to stay connected.

"You good Siah baby?" Javier asked soft, feeling how tight Messiah was holding him.

Instead of answering, Messiah just pressed closer. Javier turned in his arms, tilting his face up.

"Talk to me."

"Just don't want you to go."

Later at the shop, Messiah was in his usual chair but different - closer to Javier, reaching for him between clients. Jordan noticed but ain't say nothing.

"You coming back to my place after?" Javier asked while cleaning his station.

"Yeah." Messiah was already standing, ready to leave with him.

That night they was tangled up in Javier's bed, Messiah half on top of him while they talked about nothing really. Every time Javier shifted though, Messiah would hold on tighter.

"I ain't going nowhere chiquito." Javier pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Promise."

"Better not." Messiah's voice was quiet but sure.

"Nah for real," Javier tilted his face up. "You stuck with me now Siah baby. Even when you try to run."

"I won't." And Messiah meant it. Running was easier before, when he ain't know what he'd be leaving behind. But now... now he knew exactly what he had to lose.