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“I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
“I know, Aris, I know.”
Teresa’s words are soft, and they are soothing. Fingers stroking over his temples. Aris leans into the touch.
“But where is she, Teresa, where is she? She said she’d be here.”
Something flickers over Teresa’s face, but it’s gone just as quickly. She smiles down at him, and Aris feels himself relax. Incrementally.
“She’ll be here, love, don’t you worry.”
“Yeah?” Aris says. He sounds hopeful. Because there is hope. He knows it. Rachel would never leave him. She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t, she wouldn’t, she—
“Shhhh, Aris, it’s okay.” It’s only when Teresa draws his head to her stomach, let’s her fingers glide through his hair, soothing small words spilling from her lips that Aris realizes how his breath is going fast, shallow. Panic.
He hears the sound of the door, heavy boots on the floor.
“How’s he?” Thomas’ low voice makes Aris’ muscles relax some more. Thomas is here. That’s good. That is good. Thomas. Yes.
He feels the mattress sink as Thomas sits down beside him. An arm closes around his shoulders, and now Aris is enclosed by both Teresa and Thomas holding him. That’s good. That is good. They're here. Yes.
“How was your day?” Thomas asks. His voice is soft. Aris likes his voice. Aris likes Thomas.
Teresa lowers herself to her knees in front of him, and a small noise escapes Aris when his head is no longer buried against her. He doesn’t like keeping his eyes open. Thomas tilts a finger under his chin, and leans in. Soft lips touch Aris’. A kiss. That’s good. Aris likes kisses. Aris likes Thomas. He smiles.
There’s a question he hasn’t answered though. Turmoil rises inside him. His day. His day? What did he do. He was waiting. But for who?
He catches Teresa shake her head, just slightly, and Aris enjoys her fingers that have started rubbing circles on his thighs, holding them.
“Don’t worry, love,” she says, her voice soothing.
Aris’ hands are shaking. She takes them in hers.
“There’s nothing you need to do,” Thomas says. Thomas’ voice is nice. Aris likes it. Aris likes Thomas. He watches Thomas scoots back towards the head of the bed, his legs propped up loosely. Aris looks at him, and Thomas smiles, and Thomas draw him closer.
Thomas’ arms close around Aris middle, and Aris’ head comes to rest on Thomas’ chest. A sigh escapes Aris. He closes his eyes. It’s better like that.