Chapter 23

"Siah wake up, you got class." Javier was trying to get Messiah up off his bed where he'd knocked out after practice last night.

"No." Messiah pulled the blanket over his head.

"Don't get an attitude with me this early." But Javier was fighting a smile. "Get up."

"Make me."

"Oh you wanna try me?" Without warning, Javier scooped him up, blanket and all.

"Put me down!" But Messiah was half laughing despite himself.

"Nah you wanted to be difficult." Javier carried him to the bathroom, setting him down by the sink. "Now get ready for class."

"I hate you."

"No you don't." Javier kissed him quick. "Hurry up, I got breakfast ready."

---

Later that day, Javier was at the shop working on a client while his mind kept drifting to how cute Messiah looked all sleepy and mad this morning. His phone lit up with a text:

"I'm still mad at you"

"No you not baby. You eat lunch yet?"

"Yeah. In class now"

"Pay attention then"

"Whatever"

Javier smiled, going back to his client. His next appointment cancelled so he started sketching some new designs. He had this piece he'd been working on just for Messiah, something that would look perfect on him.

His sister called right as he was finishing up.

"Javi! You still coming to my dance thing next month?"

"You know I am. When have I ever missed one?"

They talked while he cleaned his station, catching up on family stuff. His mom got on the phone asking when he was bringing Messiah to dinner.

"Soon mama, let me talk to him about it."

---

Meanwhile Messiah was at work, stocking shelves and thinking about this morning. Usually he hated anybody manhandling him but something about how Javier just picked him up like it was nothing...

His phone buzzed - Dom in the group chat talking about some party this weekend. Messiah left him on read, not trying to go out again so soon.

At home later, he was doing homework with his cat in his lap when Javier FaceTimed.

"You still pouting?"

"I don't pout." But Messiah was fighting a smile. "You ain't have to pick me up like that."

"You wasn't getting up." Javier was at his desk drawing. "Plus you liked it."

"Whatever." Messiah adjusted his phone, getting comfortable. "What you working on?"

"Something for you actually. But you can't see it yet."

"Why not?"

"Cause I said so." Javier's voice got that tone that made Messiah's stomach flip. "You coming over later?"

"Maybe if you act right."

"Oh I gotta act right? When you the one who was having an attitude this morning?"

Messiah just smiled, letting Javier's voice wash over him while he worked. Something about how Javier handled him - firm but playful, protective but gentle... it made him feel safe enough to just be himself.

"You falling asleep on me again chiquito?"

"No." But Messiah's eyes were getting heavy.

"Go to sleep baby. I'll wake you up again tomorrow."

"You better not pick me up."

"No promises."

Later that night in his own bed, Messiah was almost asleep when his phone lit up one more time:

"Miss you"

Simple but it made him smile. "Go to sleep Javi"

Just another day of them finding their rhythm, learning each other's ways. And somehow it all felt exactly right.