From Frost to Flame

Part 71: Stay

It got late without either of them noticing.

Time had slipped somewhere between words and silence.

Vegas shifted first, slowly pulling himself upright.

"I should go."

Pete's fingers tightened around his before he could fully pull away.

"You can stay."

Vegas paused.

Searched his face — careful, almost cautious.

"No expectations," Pete added, softer this time. "Just... stay."

A beat passed.

Then Vegas nodded.

Pete didn't say anything else. He just stood, still holding his hand, and gently pulled him along.

Not rushed.

Not hesitant.

Just quiet certainty.

The bedroom was dim when they stepped in.

Soft shadows. Safe.

Pete let go only to pull back the blanket before settling in.

Vegas followed a moment later.

They lay down side by side.

Fully clothed.

A small distance between them at first — not forced, just... respected.

The silence returned.

But it wasn't empty.

Pete turned his head slightly in the dark.

"Are you okay?" he whispered.

Vegas stared at the ceiling, eyes tracing nothing.

"...I don't feel alone."

Something in Pete's chest eased.

He shifted closer.

Slowly.

Carefully.

Until their shoulders brushed.

Vegas didn't move away.

Instead, under the blanket, his hand turned — hesitant, searching.

Pete noticed.

Turned toward him.

Vegas did the same.

Now they were facing each other.

Close.

Close enough to feel each other's breath in the quiet.

Pete slipped his fingers into Vegas's.

Lacing them together.

No urgency.

No tension.

Just warmth... steady and real.

The kind that didn't ask for anything.

Time passed like that.

Unmeasured.

After a while, Vegas spoke — voice low, almost like he didn't want to disturb the moment.

"I think I'm starting to trust this."

Pete's grip tightened just slightly.

"I'm not going anywhere."

No promises dressed up pretty.