Chapter 40

Their hotel room had this huge window looking out at the ocean. Messiah stood there while Javier unpacked, just taking it in.

"You really ain't never been to a beach?" Javier asked, coming up behind him.

"Nah. Never had the chance before."

"Well come on then." Javier was already pulling him toward the door. "Let's go see it up close."

The sand was hot under their feet, water looking endless ahead of them. Messiah tried playing it cool but Javier caught his little smile.

"Stop trying to act unbothered," Javier said, pulling him closer. "I see you."

They found a spot to set up, Javier spreading out towels while Messiah took his shirt off. Some girl walking by looked a little too long and Javier's hand found Messiah's lower back quick.

"You doing too much," Messiah said, but he didn't move away.

"Can't help it. Everybody staring at my man."

Later they walked along the water, letting waves hit their feet. Messiah was quiet but relaxed, different from his usual guard-up energy.

"You good?" Javier asked, watching him.

"Yeah." Messiah looked out at the ocean. "Just... thank you. For bringing me here."

Instead of answering, Javier just picked him up sudden, carrying him into deeper water.

"Don't you dare-" But Messiah was laughing for real as Javier dropped them both in the waves.

That night they found this little restaurant on the beach, ate watching the sunset. Messiah was still smiling more than usual, letting Javier feed him bites of food.

"I ain't never seen you this relaxed," Javier said, thumb stroking Messiah's wrist.

"Yeah well... first time I ain't had to worry about nothing. Just being here with you."

Back in their room, Messiah stood at that window again while Javier came up behind him, arms wrapping around his waist.

"Thank you," Messiah said quiet.

"For what baby?"

"All of it. Moving in together, bringing me here... just everything."

Javier turned him around, pulling him close. "You deserve all this chiquito. Everything good in the world."

And standing there with the ocean behind them, Messiah actually believed him. For the first time in his life, he had someone who wanted to give him the world - and he was ready to let them.