Lee picked him up off his feet and carried him into the bedroom, throwing him on the bed and immediately crawling over him. “It’s you!”
“It’s me.”
“I’m going to tie you to this bed and never, and I mean never, let you go again. I’m free now, Eli.”
“I heard the speech, Lee. That’s why I’m here. I hoped that you still wanted me.”
“Want you?” Lee was running his hand over Eli’s hair, staring at his entire face. “Oh, god, Eli, I’m in love with you. I have been for so long. I can’t shake you.”
“I feel the same, Lee. I love you so deeply and truly that I didn’t know how to breathe these last years. I missed you.”
“I’m going to tie you to this bed, I’ll sleep, and then I’ll fuck you and sleep again. I’m never letting you out of my sight except for work. I know you love your job.”
“I’m okay with all of that. I don’t want to be away from you again either. Ever.”
They kissed long and slow, and Lee did tie him to the bed. They slept off the hours before they’d reunited and woke to make love that wasn’t rushed. For the first time, their coupling wasn’t rushed or a process to help them say goodbye.
They were both finally free to be together and it felt…perfect.