My Home Is With You [LGBT+]

Seventeen

I LOOK AT MAXIMILIAN through tired hazy eyes, his arm is carefully slung over my waist, pulling me closer to his warm body. The bed is ridiculously small for the both of us, but we make it work. He smells like coffee and tobacco.

"You smoke?" I ask curiously, trying to make small talk before I wave into unconsciousness again.

"Not often, just when I'm stressed," he answers.

"'s bad for you," I chide.

He smiles and presses a kiss to my dry lips. I don't push him away, simply enjoying this moment, enjoying his soft lips on mine.

A sigh escapes from me when we part.

He holds me closer, tighter, as if afraid I'll disappear.

He mutters next to my ear, genuine concern dripping from his voice, "What will you do now?"

I bury my face in the crook of his neck, "I don't know. Look for a shelter maybe... I honestly don't know."

He presses a kiss to my ear, whispering, "Do you remember that house I was planning on buying in Mantoloking?"

I nod.

"I didn't go through with it," he says, "I couldn't."

"Why?" I wonder.

"Found another house. It's smaller and still in a good neighborhood. It's on the other side of highway 22, in Providence," he answers.

"Providence?"

It's a predominantly white town with families of high incomes considering how nice the houses look.

I've been there many times, my older brother used to work around there for several years. The majority of the people there are nice for the most part. But I still can't grasp why Maximilian would've chosen some place like Providence over Mantoloking.

"Why there?"

"Fell for the house to be honest. It's small yet spacious with two stories, two bedrooms, a study, and 2 bathrooms. The kitchen is big and modern. And the location is breathtaking," he grins like a little kid, "There's a small park with a lake nearby."

"Sounds beautiful," I smile back, knowing exactly what he's talking about.

"It is," he nods and sobers up, "I actually already bought it."

I stare at him in surprise.

"And I want you to move in with me."

My breath catches in my throat.

I push away from him and look at him with wide eyes, "Wait what?"

He sits up and looks at me seriously, "I'm not going to let you bounce from shelter to shelter. I bought the house in a rush to be honest because I didn't want to continue staying at a hotel. I wanted a place to call my own, but without being so far away from you. I figured that staying close would let us get to know each other. But with what happened, I don't want you homeless or starving. If you're uncomfortable with moving in with me, then I can pay a room for you at the hotel I stayed at for however long you need."

"I'd feel like I was intruding in on your space," I mumble.

He chuckles as he cups my cheek in his hand, "The house came with some furnishings, but I've decided to donate most of them. I've only bought a bed for the master bedroom. I was actually planning on asking your opinion on furniture and whatnot, because I wanted this house to be a place for you to be comfortable in. That is, if you ever wanted to come over. A safe haven if you will."

"Really?"

He tilts my chin up and kisses me one last time, "I told you I would never do anything that you're not comfortable with. Tell me what you need, tell me what makes you comfortable or uncomfortable, tell me what you want."

I remember those words, his promises.

"Unfortunately, I won't be able to stay at the house long," he frowns a bit, "I need to go back to CA in a couple weeks ago, just until I'm sure you're okay, that you're safe and settled.

I throw my arms around him to hug him as best as I can. I bite my lip to stop my ugly cries from resounding in the small hospital room. His arms wrap around my waist again.

"Thank you, Max," I whisper hoarsely, "thank you so much."