Page 73 of Small Sacrifices

"I'm going to need you to be clearer than that. We talked about this, remember?" He tries his hardest to modulate his voice so that it's neutral, but it still sounds sharp to his ears.

Everett frowns. "You really don't know?"

Reid has a suspicion. But he's been wrong in the past. Besides, he has a feeling that it would be quite embarrassing to say something like 'you like me' out loud. First, he could be wrong. Second, that would probably sound juvenile. Do adults still say 'I like you'? And third… it would hurt. The thought that Everett likes him, wants to be with him, is precious. He doesn't want to be the one to make it crumble.

So he says no.

His eyes are again drawn to Everett's Adam's apple as he swallows. And then, suddenly, Everett is grinning, ducking his head and sweeping his hair out of his face.

"Because I like you. And you were close, and I wanted to kiss you. I acted on impulse." The grin dims to a smile. "I'm really sorry. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. You've been really cool about this so far. I just… for a moment, I thought you might be interested, too. And I was wrong. Sorry."

There's that word again.Interested.Reid takes a deep breath. If everything at his job is going downhill anyway, he might as well let himself have this. Whateverthiswill turn out to be.

"What I'mnot interestedinis you touching me without my consent and without warning. Please don't misconstrue my words."

They're still standing close, which affords Reid the opportunity to see Everett's pupils blow in real time. "Oh."

"Oh," Reid agrees. Another person crunches past them. "Still want to continue this conversation somewhere else?"

Everett's cheeks take on a very fetching russet color. He can't nod quickly enough. "Yeah, sure."

The blush makes something deep in Reid's stomach squirm. Or maybe below it. Can words as simple as those really have such a big impact? Or—ah. Okay. Just to be sure, he points a warning finger at Everett.

"I'm not having sex with you tonight," he says.

And it might be the best thing he's ever said in his entire life, because it only makes Everett blush harder.

Chapter 25: Talking it out

When they get to Reid's apartment, things are awkward. This surprises no one—Reid is involved, after all. This sort of situation is new to him. He's never even kissed anyone before. He doesn't know where to start a conversation like this. And on top of that, he's already emotionally exhausted.

They talk about nothing while Reid whips up a stir fry. And then they're silent while they eat. Not that Everett doesn't try to keep the conversation going, but Reid just can't deal with talking and eating at the same time after the day he's had.

By the time they're finished with their meal, Everett practically shoots upright to claim dish-duty. Reid, who isn't about to touch wet plates, tells him to put the clean dishes on the drying rack and goes to sit down on the couch. It's not like it's very far away from the couch. Reid's apartment is tiny.

"So what does this mean, then?" Reid asks, while Everett can't look at him.

There's a clanking sound, followed by muffled cursing. Reid grins. He's not so sure that it's a good thing—but knowing it's him provoking these kinds of reactions from Everett feels brilliant.

"Jesus Christ," Everett says. "You're something else. Not gonna make small talk first to ease me into the conversation?"

"No."

That gets Reid a laugh. "I see." For a moment, he hears the movement of the sponge in a pot. "Well, I'd say it means whateveryouwant it to mean. I already messed up once today. I don't wanna make it worse."

Huh. That's probably considerate, but it feels wrong. He doesn't want to make the decisions here. Or, worse, take theinitiative.That just sounds stressful.

"It takes two to tango," Reid quotes at Everett, which makes him snort. He waits for more of a reaction, but he doesn't get it. So he continues: "Also, after the day I've had, I'm fresh out of energy to lead a conversation. I'd like to get this cleared up, but I'll need your help with that."

"Oh. Are you sure? We can do this when you're feeling better."

Reid presses his eyes shut against the frustration welling up in him. Again, nice sentiment. But hejustsaid that he wanted to do it.Everett means well, he reminds himself before he takes a deep breath.

"If we don't do this now, I'll be stressing out about it until we do," he says.

His answer is the gurgling of the sink. With butterflies in his stomach, he watches Everett dry his hands and then immediately run them through his hair.

For a moment, Reid wonders if he's pushing too hard, if he's overwhelming Everett with his need for honesty. Butthen he sees Everett take another deep breath, releasing the tension from his body. When he turns around, his expression is breathtakingly vulnerable.

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