Chapter 16

It was late at the shop, just Javier finishing up some drawings when Messiah walked in. He'd just finished practice, still in his sweats and a tank, looking tired but good.

"I thought you was gonna be home already," Messiah said, dropping into his usual chair.

"I got caught up with these designs." Javier put his pencil down, turning to face him. "Why you here so late chiquito?"

"I couldn't sleep. Been thinking too much."

"About what?"

Messiah was quiet for a minute, just watching Javier watch him. The shop was silent except for the low music playing, creating this bubble where it felt like just them in the world.

"Just stuff," Messiah finally said, but his eyes said something different. He was looking at Javier like he was trying to figure something out.

Javier moved his chair closer, their knees touching. "What kind of stuff?"

"You know what kind." Messiah's voice was quiet but sure.

They stayed like that for a moment, just looking at each other. Then Javier leaned forward slow, giving Messiah time to pull back if he wanted. But Messiah stayed still, his eyes dropping to Javier's lips.

The first kiss was soft, gentle. Javier's hand came up to cup Messiah's face, and Messiah leaned into it like he'd been waiting for this. When they pulled back, Messiah's eyes stayed closed for a second.

"I been wanting to do that," Javier said quietly.

"Yeah?" Messiah opened his eyes, and for once all his walls was down. "Me too."

Javier smiled, thumb stroking Messiah's cheek. "Can I do it again?"

Instead of answering, Messiah pulled him back in. This kiss was deeper, like they both stopped holding back. Messiah's hand gripped Javier's shirt while Javier's fingers slid into his dreads.

When they finally broke apart, they was both breathing heavy. Javier pressed his forehead against Messiah's, just staying close.

"You good?" he asked softly.

"Yeah." Messiah's voice was rough. "I'm good Javi."

They sat there for a minute, neither wanting to move. Finally Messiah pulled back slightly, but he kept his hand on Javier's shirt.

"I should probably go home," he said, but he wasn't moving.

"Probably." Javier pressed one more soft kiss to his lips. "Text me when you get there?"

"Yeah." Messiah stood up slow, like he was fighting with himself about leaving. At the door he turned back. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"You know where to find me chiquito."

In his car, Messiah touched his lips where he could still feel Javier's kiss. His heart was doing crazy things in his chest but for once he wasn't trying to fight it.

His phone lit up: "Drive safe"

He smiled, actually smiled for real. "Bet"

At the shop, Javier couldn't stop grinning as he cleaned up. He touched his lips too, still feeling Messiah's kiss, how soft he got when his walls came down.

His phone buzzed: "Home"

"Sweet dreams chiquito"

"You too Javi"