Nick laid back in bed, smiling, Ryan and Alyssa to either side of him. They were relaxed and uncomfortable, unmotivated to move or do anything other than be with each other. Eventually, Ryan fumbled for his phone when a notification came in. It took him a moment to focus, and then he sat upright.
“Everything ok?” Nick asked, curious about the sudden change in behavior.
“I’m late for work.” he admitted, pulling the covers aside before he began to look for his clothes, pulling them on as he found them.
“I’m sure Charles will be alright with you being late.” Nick pointed out.
“Maybe, but that’s not the point. I don’t want it to develop into a habit or anything. Besides…what if one of the LGBT kids needs someone to talk to?” he asked, yanking his shirt over his head. “I want to be there for them.”
“Do I get a kiss before you go?” Nick asked.
“Duh.” Came Ryan’s response. He leaned over to give Nick a kiss once he was fully dressed, gave a small wave goodbye to Alyssa, and left, quietly closing the door behind him, and managing to not let Chase in at the same time.
“I should probably go too.” Alyssa said, beginning to sit up.
“Work?” Nick asked.
“No, it’s just late, and I don’t want to drive tired.” she said, beginning to get up.
Nick responded by sliding an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. “So stay. It’s been forever since we’ve been alone like this.”
Alyssa smiled a little. “Careful, you’re almost out of line there, Private.”
“Captain.” he responded, leaning down to kiss her shoulder before brushing stray strands of hair away from her face.
“You have a point.” she finally admitted. “We never did get to spend long together. Too risky.”
“Mmm…it’s nice though.” he said, running a finger along her curves for a moment, before resuming holding her across the waist close to him. After a moment he nuzzled a little at the nape of her neck, and she froze just a little, giving him pause enough that he backed off.
“Please don’t.” she asked, her voice slightly shaky.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I don’t know for sure, but it’s… it’s just that it makes me think of him, you know? He did things to my mind, things I can’t remember. What else did he do?” she said, and hugged herself. A moment later, she was startled to hear a bit of a growl come from Nick.
“Nick?” she asked. It took a moment before he responded.
“I won’t let him hurt you again.” was his response.
“How? How are you going to stop someone like him?” she prompted.
“I don’t know – yet. But if I can help it, he won’t be a stain on this earth for much longer.” he said, his comment coming with a careful cadence, as though he were refraining from getting angry.
“I don’t know how you can work for one of them.” she admitted.
“Brandon has never done me wrong.” he responded.
“Hasn’t he?” she inquired, thinking of the forced sex, though didn’t mention this to Nick.
Nick was quiet as he mulled things over, eventually sussing out what she meant. “He apologized for that. Profusely. I h ave mixed feelings about it, but I’m ok with that, and the apology.”
“You’re weird.” she said, loosening his grip enough so that she could roll over to face him. The first thing she did was boop him on the nose. “Let’s not talk heavy topics, okay? I’d rather stay warm and cozy in bed with my boyfriend, who is definitely going to make me breakfast in the morning.”
Nick laughed. “Well, I’ll make sure I manage time well then. I wouldn’t want to disappoint my little mamasita now would I?”
She blushed at the compliment, and swatted at him, mostly playfully. “I am not that attractive.”
“Matter of preference.” he said. There was silence for a while, then he leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I have an idea I want to run past you.”
“Oh?”
“I know you haven’t seen your family in years, and I know you don’t want to. I also know that you keep contact with your abuela in Mexico, and haven’t seen her in longer. What if we took a trip to see her sometime? I don’t have to meet her – just accompany you so you aren’t traveling alone.”
“That’s…that’s something to think about.” she said. “I don’t have the mental fortitude to think about it much right now.” she admitted. “I’m worn down from other topics and activities. But I promise I will think about it, okay?”
“Alright.” he said, giving her a kiss. “How about we sleep now?”
“That sounds -“ she began, and stopped. At the door, there was the sound of pawing and some whining.
“Do you mind if I let him in?” he asked her. After she shook her head no, Nick got up to let Chase in, and she watched his butt as he made his way across the room.
Chase came walking in with his favorite toy and hopped up on the bed, turning around a few times before getting comfortable at the foot. Nick shut the door and climbed back into bed with Alyssa.
“Good boy.” Alyssa told him, and Chase gave a thump of his tail. She slid an arm around Nick after he came to bed. “Nice butt.” she teased.
He sighed. “Glad you like it. Now, how about we get that sleep?”
“Sounds good.” she said, cozying up next to him as he put an arm around her, the two of them eventually drifting off to sleep.