Page 86 of The Reanimator's Heart
Maybe it was the lingering pain or the medication in his system, but Oliver’s eyes filled with tears before he could stop them. Pressing his knuckles into his eyes, Oliver bit his lip and tried to choke down the sobs. Pain lanced through his ribs at the first hiccupped cry as Felipe pulled the cup from his hand and wrapped his arms tightly around him.
“Oliver, what’s wrong? I promise you, you can say no. Don’t cry.”
“I’m happy.”
Felipe carefully pulled back and stared into Oliver’s reddened eyes. “You’re happy? That’s why you’re crying?”
“Yeah.” Words were slipping away from him, but he wanted this more than Felipe could know. He didn’t realize how much he needed to hear that the things he liked most about himself were good things. Sucking in a wet breath, Oliver forced a pained smile and met Felipe’s eyes. “I want to try.”
“We can do that. We can absolutely do that, and if you don’t like it, we’ll figure it out.” Smoothing the tears from Oliver’s cheeks with his thumbs, Felipe gently kissed him. “Do you want to lie down again for a little while? I’ll join you.”
“I don’t want to sleep.”
“You don’t have to. We could just lie there and look at a catalog together. Pick out a new coffee maker for the lab.”
Oliver nodded and carefully stood as Felipe gathered the quilt. Sitting on his side of the bed, Oliver closed his eyes and listened to the whisper of Felipe’s clothing as he stripped down to his shirtsleeves and trousers. His traitorous blood stirred despite the exhaustion settling over him like a blanket. Grabbing the Montgomery Ward catalog off the dresser, Felipe slid into bed beside him.
As he spread the quilt over their legs, Oliver asked, “After my stitches come out, do you want to visit Teresa? As long as the weather holds.”
“I’d like that. I sent Louisa and Agatha a note about what happened, so don’t be surprised if they turn up for a visit.”
“I hope they bring the dogs,” he replied, stifling a yawn and nestling closer. “Do you think Teresa will like me?”
“I think once she gets to know you, she will love you as much as I do.”
With Felipe’s arm wrapped around him and the familiar ads flickering past his eyes, Oliver’s breathing and brain slowed to a sleepy rhythm. He focused on the comforting weight of the tether lodged around his heart. He never expected to like knowing it was there, to not be able to forget who or what he was, but then again, he never thought Felipe Galvan would be on the other end. Oliver twined his fingers with Felipe’s at his shoulder. He had broken every rule he had made to protect himself, but the promise of days at Felipe’s side, complete with late nights, meals out, and family gatherings, was worth it. Even after all the chaos of the previous week, Oliver was happy. Well and truly happy.
