continued from here {x}
Mike felt the tension in Bill’s grip before he heard it in his voice, that careful just that carried more weight than the words that followed. He didn’t pull away. Didn’t rush. He stayed right there, thumbs brushing lightly at Bill’s jaw, steady and deliberate.
“Yeah,” he said softly, without hesitation. “Of course I will.” He leaned in again, not quite a kiss this time—just close enough that Bill could feel the promise of it. “I’ll text you when I get there. And if it’s busy, I’ll text again when I get a second.” A faint smile touched his mouth, warm and sincere. “You’re not bothering me. Ever.”
His hands slid down to Bill’s wrists, gentle pressure, grounding rather than prying. “Nothing bad’s going to happen,” he added quietly—not dismissive, just calm, like he believed it enough for both of them. “But if it makes you feel better to hear from me, then I want you to hear from me.”
He pressed one last, lingering kiss to Bill’s forehead before easing back, keys finally reclaimed. “I’ll see you later,” he said again, softer this time. “I promise.”
@scribedhorror















