Page 150 of Take You Home

“Because…” Obie takes a deep breath. “Because you didn’t have much of a choice in leaving the Sanctum, and I’m very aware that you don’t really have any means or money outside of it. You’re relying on me for housing and basic survival right now, and I know that can be scary.”

Chester’s expression shifts. “Obie‍?—‍”

“Personally, I hope you never want to live here,” Obie continues. “But I want you to always have that option, okay? I don’t‍—I don’t want you to ever feel trapped in a relationship with me because you’re afraid of what would happen to you if we broke up. I don’t want you to ever feel like you’d have nowhere else to go or that you owe me anything.” He gives Chester a small smile. “Congratulations, Chester. You’re a homeowner now.”

“You…” Chester reaches out, framing Obie’s face between gentle hands. His eyes are soft. “Obadiah, you are so very,verysweet, and also so very,verystupid.”

Obie wrinkles his nose. “Could’ve done without the second part.”

“But it fits,” Chester says, leaning forward to press a kiss to Obie’s lips. “Thank you. I truly appreciate this, but‍—but I don’t think I’ll ever want to live here, either. Iloveyour house, Obie. I love living with you. It’s my home now.” He grins. “Plus, the water pressure in the shower is amazing.”

“Told you,” Obie says smugly.

“And I love waking up next to you,” Chester adds. “I love sleepy good-morning kisses and the way you fry your eggs with butter, not oil. I love your fluffy rugs and your ten thousand varieties of tea and all the books in your library. I love curling up next to you on the couch, and I love it when you teach me new things, and I love how we can talk for hours without ever getting bored.” He smiles. “And I love falling asleep next to you. Rinse and repeat. I loveyou,Obie.”

Obie’s heart feels warm. Lightly, he kisses Chester’s forehead. “I love you, too.”

Still smiling, Chester lets his gaze drift back to the couch. Unexpectedly, his eyes light up. “Huh.”

“Huh?” Obie repeats, squinting at him. “What do you mean, ‘huh’?”

“I…” A grin spreads across Chester’s face as he turns in a slow circle, like he’s seeing the apartment in a new light. “Actually, I think this place might be growing on me.”

Obie blinks back at him, bemused. “I’m glad. May I ask why?”

“Because now we havesomuch more furniture to have loud, raunchy sex on,” Chester says, pointing resolutely at the couch. “Starting right there.”

Obie bursts out laughing as Chester tangles his fingers in Obie’s shirt and starts herding him towards the couch in question. “You are…”

Chester lightly pushes on Obie’s chest. Obediently, Obie falls backwards onto the cushions, reaching out for Chester to climb on top of him. “Indecent?” Chester drawls, peppering kisses all over Obie’s face. “Incorrigible? Infuriating?”

Obie reaches up, cupping Chester’s cheek against his palm. “Perfect.”

Chester’s eyes crinkle in the corners when he smiles. It’s a special smile, one that Obie thinks is just for him. “Only with you,” he murmurs, and as he leans down to kiss Obie again, Obie knows that‍—whatever the future holds‍—he and Chester are going to face it together.