Page 28 of Jared

His head snapped back violently from the force of the blow. “Steve, no, baby...”

“You want Steve? I'll get you Steve,” the reply came.

Yes, he wanted Steve. He wanted Steve to be alive, and to be his.

“Shhh...” the voice continued.

Jared blinked his eyes. Wait, that voice. It was-

“Des?” his friend was sat on the side of his bed, looking anxious.

“Yeah. Sorry, just, you were shouting and crying. Umm, I'll call Steve for you, okay?”

“No, I'm all right. Just... just a dream. About those guys, the ones from the club.”

Desmond frowned. “Maybe you should go speak to someone about that. Like a counsellor or something.”

Jared shook his head emphatically. “No. No way. I...I just need to put it behind me. I'll be okay once I calm down.” he smiled weakly at his friend.

Desmond looked dubious. “tell you what, if you won't let me call Steve, how about I go make us some hot chocolate? I'll brave the funky smelling air in there for you out of the goodness of my heart.”

Jared laughed weakly. “I noticed that. What is that?”

Desmond shrugged. “I dunno. I checked around. No old food lying around anywheres and we only moved in yesterday so no kitchen trash to make that stink. I'm wondering if the carpets need doing.”

“Could be.”

“I'll- I'll just go make that chocolate now. You sit there, all right? Maybe watch some Netflix.”

Jared fidgeting. Should he get up? He didn't particularly feel like watching a movie. Alone in his room, the stillness and solitariness ate away at his nerves. He shivered, drawing his sheet up up closer in a vain attempt to stave off the chill that crept along his bones and uncurled in his gut.

He was dead. Why would I dream that? Jared squeezed his eyes shut. A small tear escaped from the corner of his left eye, unbidden. It wasn't all that long ago, but it seems like a million years.he's become such a part of my life. His smile, the way his eyes are so warm when he looks at me. The thoughtful things he does. His patience with all my blunders and assumptions about his world. If I never again got to sit beside him and laugh at the way he stops the DVD to make us a cocktail for us to sip along just because Isaac made one, I don't know what i'd do. And his laugh. I felt like I was really home when he gave that laugh over the Professor and his coconut radio fiasco.We're not probably the hippest couple, but we are perfectly matched. A mated pair. That's what we are supposed to be yet I'm sat here being a dork about everything.

“Here you go, hun.” Desmond reappeared in his doorway, holding two mugs. “Oh, honey, are you crying?” He hurried over and placed the mugs on the bedside table. “It's gonna be all right.”

“I've been so stupid, Des.”

Desmond quirked a half smile at the shortening of his name. He decided it was okay coming from Jared. “It's not stupid to cry, And hey, after what you've been through, then those suit types coming after us, I'm not surprised you're feeling a bit of a mess. If anything, I think it's amazing that you didn't fall apart before now.” He perched himself on the edge of Jared's bed. “Just let it all out.”

Jared shook his head. “I- I just need a minute. Please.”

Desmond stood back up. “No worries. I'll just see if there are any cookies left, hmm? Make sure the moving help didn't help them disappear.” he sailed back out.

Jared blinked rapidly. Not going to cry. Oh, balls...

Standing on the other side of the closed door, Desmond was able to hear the sobs. Nodding to himself, he came to a decision. Returning to his room, he picked up his cell phone and dialed. “hey, sorry. I know it's the middle of the night. But Jared's having a bad night and is crying.” He pulled the phone away from his face and looked at the screen. “Okay then, I'll hang up too. I guess I best wait for you to show up at the door in no time flat, huh?”

Returning the kitchen as promised, he found the cookies he was looking for. “Ugh, note to self, see if Steve can help locate that smell and get whatever is causing it cleaned. After he gets Jared calmed down.”

As if on cue, he heard a sharp knock on the front door. He hastened to answer it. Steve muttered his thanks as he pushed his way past, hurrying towards the hall. He paused, giving the air a sniff. He looked startled.

“Tell me about it,” Desmond said sourly. “Talk to you later about that.”

Steve gave a short nod and hesitated before the door on the left. He squared his shoulders and pushed the door open. Desmond watched him kneel on the floor next to the bed, pulling Jared over to himself. Desmond sighed and shut the bedroom door. “And my hot chocolate was in there too. Guess I best go make myself a new one. Not like I can sleep now.” Even sakura was asleep, curled up in a seemingly boneless contortion, one paw over her eyes. Somehow, it made Desmond feel even more alone. That calls for a chocolate chip cookie. At least three of them. He grabbed one out of the packet as he plugged the kettle back in and set it to boil. I hope the kid is all right.If anyone can make him feel safe, it'll be Steve. He munched his cookie absently.

Steve opened the door to the bedroom, taking in the look of surprise and relief mingled together on his mate's face. He could scent the anxiety rolling off of him, so palpable that it was all but visible to the naked eye. He crossed the room in long strides, quickly kneeling beside the bed and enfolding Jared within a reassuring embrace. He heard Desmond sigh softly as he closed the door, giving them much needed privacy.

Steve said nothing, his firm embrace and a gentle kiss to Jared's temple communicating all that needed to be said as Jared's tears flowed in earnest now, soaking his shoulder.