I was struck tonight with such intense Jeaneil feelings that I had to write this in my notes app, and then share it with anyone who wants some incredibly soft boys getting to rest together.
Jean is breathing, calm and smooth, next to him on the couch. His breath smells like mint toothpaste and his skin is soft from a shower. In sleep, his heart beat is slow and steady. It pulses out a rhythm that Neil could follow even if all of this senses were gone.
Neil is tucked in between the back of the couch and the backliner. Even in sleep, Jean will try to protect him. Neil doesn’t need it, has never needed it, but accepts it willingly all the same. They have both been through hell and back, and they deserve rest.
His ear is pressed to Jean’s chest, head rising and falling gently with his lungs. His arm is wrapped loosely around Jean’s middle, fingers lightly strumming the soft, cool fabric of his shirt. Even with the height difference they’ve managed to tangle their legs together. Jean has one arm under them and one arm thrown across his own chest, hand resting lightly on Neil’s neck.
Neil could fall asleep now. He probably will soon, safe and content with the knowledge that Andrew and Jeremy and all of their friends, their family, are somewhere close by tonight. Jean sighs, fingers twitching against the soft hair under his ear.
Tomorrow there will be triggers and laughter and setbacks and growth. Tonight, there simply is.