Page 110 of Second Chance

“Hmm?”

“I told you I’d say it next when you could see my face. I love you.”

Tony snuggles in tight until he can wrap his arms around Daniel’s middle and bury his nose in the base of Daniel’s neck, where his damp hair still smells of his stupid three-in-one shower product. “I love you too.”

Chapter Sixteen

Daniel’s making tea in the kitchen.

He’s making tea in the kitchen, and Tony hears him whistling through the door, and the sound heals a fractured part of his heart worn thin with worrying the last few days.

Tony pushes the comforter off and pads to the kitchen, where he wraps his arms around Daniel’s middle and kisses Daniel’s cheek.

His skin is still sleep-warm and cozy.

“Good morning.” Daniel reaches back and pats Tony’s hip through the thin material of his boxers.

“Morning,” Tony mumbles into Daniel’s T-shirt. “No, wait. What time is it?”

“Like, three p.m. Sleep well?” The kettle clicks off and Daniel pours hot water over his tea leaves.

Tony makes some a noncommittal sound that means he won’t have to let go yet.

“You okay?” Daniel asks.

Tony nods and burrows his nose deeper into Daniel’s shirt. “I just missed you.” It comes out more honest, more heartbroken than he expected.

White-hot panic floods Tony for an instant as he remembers all the thoughts and worst-case scenarios he went through while Daniel was gone, making his grip on Daniel go tight.

“Hey.” Daniel’s hand is light on Tony’s hip, brushing against it to offer some comfort. “I’m okay. I’m here.”

“Yeah.” It’s hard to stop shaking, to loosen his hold on Daniel. Tony does it anyway. He doesn’t want to leave anything unresolved between them. “I’m still sorry I got Emilio involved. I should have talked to you about it instead of getting angry and not…saying anything.”

Daniel pulls him close again and cards his hand through Tony’s messy hair. “Who’s to say you weren’t right? Maybe I should have used Lily’s phone to call the police in the first place. Who knows if I did anyone any favors?”

“You were doing what you thought was right.”

“I was thinking about me. I thought I could fix everything by myself better than the police, and I dragged you and Gianna and everyone else into trouble.”

Tony buries his face in Daniel’s shoulder. His voice is barely audible. “I was thinking about me too. I was so scared and so angry, and I knew Emilio would…I knew he would do something.”

Daniel cups his cheek. “Angry at me?”

“No.” Tony takes a deep, shuddering breath. “Maybe a little. But only because you wouldn’t let me save you.”

“I’m sorry I put you through so much.”

“I’m sorry I got Emilio involved.”

“Don’t be. He deserves…something.”

“Still. Shouldn’t have given the detective that knife either.”

“Eh. That might save us all from getting charged for obstruction. I think it’s clear enough Lily had no idea what she was doing when she brought the knife here. She didn’t mean to threaten me. I think in a roundabout way, she was trying to confess. Shewantedus to hand over the evidence. Who knows if I was actually doing her any favors.”

Tony wraps his arms tighter around Daniel, squeezing him. Then, he takes a deep breath, letting it go. He presses another kiss to the Daniel’s cheek and pulls away reluctantly. “At least now, she has medical help. She wouldn’t have if she’d gotten arrested.”

Daniel hums in assent.

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