Chapter 20

They was at Javier's place again when Messiah started snapping. His sister had called about some shit at home and instead of talking about it, he was taking it out on Javier.

"I ain't ask for your help," Messiah said cold, pacing around. "Always trying to be in my business, acting like you know everything. Like you can fix all my problems."

"Watch your tone." Javier's voice got low, dangerous.

"Man fuck you. You ain't shit to me anyway." Messiah went to walk past him but Javier caught him by the neck quick, spinning him around.

"No, Siah baby, you not about to talk to me crazy like that." His grip was firm for a second before sliding to cup Messiah's face, thumb stroking his jaw even while his voice stayed stern. "You wanna try that shit again?"

Messiah tried to pull away but Javier's other hand caught his waist, holding him there. "Let me go-"

"Messiah." His name came out hard. "You think I'm one of them other niggas you can push away when you scared? Try again."

"I ain't scared of shit-"

"Stop lying." Javier's grip tightened slightly on his waist but his thumb kept stroking gentle. "You terrified right now cause you starting to feel something real. So you trying to make me leave before I can hurt you. But I ain't going nowhere."

Messiah's breath caught at that, some of the fight leaving his body. Javier pulled him closer, one hand sliding to the back of his neck.

"Now you gone sit down and talk to me right, or we gonna have problems. Which one you want?"

The mix of that stern voice with them gentle hands had Messiah melting despite himself. "I'm sorry," he said quiet.

"I know. Sit down." Javier guided him to the couch, keeping that hand on his neck. "Tell me what your sister said that got you acting out."

This time Messiah actually talked about it, letting Javier pull him close while he explained everything. Something about how Javier checked him but still showed love... it made him feel safe enough to be real.

Later when they was laying together, Messiah almost asleep on Javier's chest, he felt them gentle hands in his hair.

"You know why I ain't let you push me away right chiquito?"

"Why?"

"Cause you mine now. And I take care of what's mine."

Messiah just held on tighter, feeling protected in a way he ain't never felt before. Javier's hands stayed gentle in his hair, grounding him, keeping him safe.