The Aftermath (of Emilio and Anthony)

The Aftermath

[6:49 PM]

"Babe?" Anthony whispers softly, voice trembling with each breath poured anxiously from his lips.

He grips the bunch of roses tightly, chewing uneasily at the flesh of his bottom lip as Emilio lifts his head from the cocoon of cushions he's buried himself into.

Anthony bites over a whimper clinging to the tip of his tongue as he notices tears streaking Emilio's cheeks, eyes bloodshot and so unfamiliar. He reaches out to cradle Emilio's jaw, thumb brushing over flushed skin to wipe away the tears. A spark of hope scatters over his heart at the way Emilio leans in to his touch, an exhausted sigh nudged into the palm of his hand.

"I'm sorry," Anthony mumbles, swallowing the oxygen that seems trapped in his throat.
He hates fighting with Emilio, even if it's over something small that neither of them would really be arguing about if their days hadn't been so stressful.

"Me too," Emilio says quietly, tugging at the blanket shrugged around his shoulders.

Anthony can't help but fond over how soft Emilio looks, how small he is amongst the sea of blankets and sheets surrounding him. Hair messily sprawled over his forehead, the material of one of Anthony's oversized shirts pooling at his thighs.

Emilio utters an amused laugh as he notices the flowers held in Anthony's hand, a half-giggle brushing over Anthony's knuckles as he sniffles into his sleeve.
"Are they for me?"

Anthony smiles, snorting under his breath.

"Course they are," he says softly, gesturing them to Emilio. "Who else would they be for?"

Emilio grins, wiping at his eyes before he shuffles a little further along the mattress. "C' mere."

Anthony kicks off his shoes and leaves the roses at the bottom of the bed, not hesitating to crawl into bed beside Emilio and wrap an arm around his waist.

"Sorry," he repeats, sighing a kiss over Emilio's forehead and smiling slightly as Emilio nudges his lips into the nape of Anthony's neck. "I love you."

"I know," Emilio whispers, leaning into Anthony's side. "I'm sorry for everything I said, I didn't mean it."

Anthony knows, because he and Emilio both yell unnecessary and untrue feelings when they're in a heated argument.

"And I love you too," Emilio adds, lips lifting to Anthony's jaw. "Please don't ever leave again."

Anthony tightens his grip around Emilio's fragile frame as he feels guilt settle into his mind.

"Promise," he breathes into Emilio's hair, shaking his head. "Love you."
Emilio pulls away with a gentle smile, reaching to cup a hand to Anthony's cheek. He brushes a soft kiss over Anthony's bottom lip, leaning away to blink fond eyes to Anthony's before he nudges closer again.

Anthony sighs happily as Emilio shifts so that he's straddling his lap, hands immediately shaping Emilio's waist as he smiles into the many needy kisses Emilio scatters over his lips.

THE END