Hide Your Heart

At Home After Dinner

Once Gene drove off, Paul locked the front door and turned on the lights. Walking to the kitchen, he turned on the faucet for a glass of water. He put two aspirins in his mouth and swallowed half the water. "Tom, you okay?" he asked knowing his boyfriend probably had a slight headache by now.

"Mmmm, my head's spinning but I'm fine. Tooo much alcohol.....I looooove margaritas." giggled Tommy.

"I know. You turned bashful when I asked you what it did to you. Now I'm curious." 

From the couch, Tommy looked up, cheeks red. "I-I-I, ummmm, g-g-get , you know, excited."

Paul started laughing as Tommy headed to the bedroom to hide. "Aw, that's so cute." "Come back sweetie."

Silence came from the bedroom as Paul headed to his room to get ready for bed.

In the other room, Tommy quickly changed into pajamas and brushed his teeth. He was in bed when the door opened. "Tom? May I  come in?" asked Paul. 

In the bed, Tommy put his book down and sat up all the way. "S-s-sure."

Paul sat on the edge of the bed and took Tommy's hand. "Are you scared?"

"S-s-scared of w-w-what?" asked Tommy quietly.

"It seems like you're scared of anything past holding hands. Is there something wrong?"

Dropping his head, Tommy said something so soft Paul couldn't hear him. when he looked up, Paul was still looking at him. "We've shared a bed once and nothing happened. We can again. I'm not in any hurry for what you're scared of." replied Paul as he stretched out on his side.

Swallowing hard, Tommy slid under the covers as Paul's arms went around him. "Just relax."

Paul ran his fingers through Tommy's hair and gently stroked his cheek. "See? This can be relaxing and stress-free. Close your eyes."

After a few minutes, Paul felt Tommy scoot a little closer as he pulled the blanket over both of them. Paul felt tears start to wet his t-shirt. "Sweetheart, lay your head on my chest. I won't let anyone hurt you. Shhh."

"I know. I'm just afraid you'll leave me." sniffled Tommy, who always became emotional when he had too much to drink. "I'm just a useless piece of something that can't keep anyone happy. Why haven't you kicked me out yet?"

"Hey! Don't think that." came the reply. "You're not useless."

Eventually the sniffling stopped but the tears kept falling. Paul wrapped Tommy and himself in an oversized quilt as he talked  softly to Tommy. "Sh. Stop now. I've got you."

"Paul? C-c-could you stay here tonight?"

"I was going to anyway." came the half whisper. 

Finally the two of them drifted off to sleep. Paul hoped he could convince Tommy he wasn't going to leave him. It took him awhile to fall into a deep sleep. He could tell Tommy was restless too.