Chapter 24
Smoke & thorns
They was at Javier's place, Messiah working on this group project while Javier drew. Every now and then Javier would reach over, hand resting on his thigh while they talked.
"These people in my group ain't doing shit," Messiah said, frustrated with his laptop.
"You want help?"
"Nah I got it. Just annoying."
Javier went back to his drawing but kept his hand where it was, thumb moving slow against Messiah's leg while they both worked.
Later they headed to the shop cause Javier had a client. Messiah was in his usual chair with his airpods in, letting Javier work.
"You hungry?" Javier asked between clients, hand sliding to Messiah's lower back as he passed by. "I'm bout to order food."
"Yeah whatever you getting."
They fell into their routine - Javier working while Messiah studied or watched, comfortable in each other's space. Dom came through at one point to drop something off.
"Y'all always together now," he said laughing.
"Mind your business." But Messiah wasn't even trying to move away when Javier pulled him closer.
That night they was knocked out in Javier's bed, both tired from long days. Something about being here just felt right - Messiah actually sleeping through the night, Javier's arm steady around his waist keeping him close.