Page 77 of Small Sacrifices

A relieved smile bursts onto Everett's face. "Oh, thank God. I really didn't wanna go too far or anything."

"You didn't." Even as he says it, Reid can feel it's true. Really, he just wants to get back to the kissing. And if that isn't something. He could have sworn he was tired just a short while ago. He definitely doesn't feel tired right now.

"Good. But you felt a bit lost in thought. Everything alright there?"

Oh, so this is an actualconversation,not just a brief check in. Interesting. Convenient, too, because this way he doesn't have to stop anything to bring it up.

"I don't know how to French kiss," Reid says.

He does his best to keep looking at Everett after that. But he can't look him in the eyes. This time, it isn't evenhisfault. Everett is biting his bottom lip to contain a grin. That, paired with the fondness crinkling in the corner of his eyes, makes it pretty much impossible for Reid to focus on anything besides the desire for those teeth to dig into his own lip.

"Alright," Everett says once he's gotten over his initial amusement. "How about we worry about that some other time? I'm supposed to be on my way out, anyway. You're tired. I just couldn't..."

"I'm not tired anymore."

It's just four little words—or five, maybe? But their effect is quite amazing. Reid can see Everett's pupils blow wide, can feel Everett's hand tighten its grip on his sweater.

Much to Reid's dismay, Everett doesn't sweep back in to kiss him again. Instead, he takes a deep breath to get himself under control. "Right. But we don't need to speedrun this. We have time."

Somehow, Reid doesn't think that Everett would say this with another partner. It makes him bristle a bit. But he realizes that it's probably for the best. He's feeling somuchright now. He probably wouldn't notice he was overwhelmed until it was already too late. So it's a very sensible proposition. Still doesn't mean he has to love it.

"Absolutely," Reid says. His lip wanders between his teeth without a conscious effort. The way Everett's eyes follow it sets off a small spark of triumph in Reid. "But kiss me again?"

He's not sure if it's bold or needy to just ask for it like this. But if he doesn't ask, he might not get it. And hewantsit.

When Everett presses back in, his lips are stretched thin around a smile. But that doesn't make it feel any less spectacular. Because this time, it doesn't feel like he's holding back. There's a joy in his unrestrained movements, in the way heclutches Reid close and still presses closer. It feels like the most natural thing in the world to wrap his arms around Everett's neck and lift himself up onto his tiptoes to get closer.

The transition from kiss to hug is surprisingly seamless. Everett clings to him like someone might rip him away any minute. Like Reid might decide he just doesn't want him close anymore.

"When can I see you again?" Everett mumbles into his neck.

Reid suppresses a shudder, just in case that'll make him retreat again. "I need tomorrow for groceries and family. But Sunday, maybe?"

So they agree to meet up again on Sunday afternoon. Everett says he feels guilty that he won't be taking him out to a restaurant or something similar, but thankfully, it doesn't take too long for Reid to reassure him that would be hell on his nerves. He'd rather be focusing on Everett than on other people's conversations and screaming children all around him.

Before Everett walks out the door, he ducks back in for one last kiss. It's just a small peck, nothing intense. But it brings Reid right back to the way he was feeling earlier, making him cling to the open door. He has to shake himself before he can get out a voiceless goodbye. Of course, this means Everett leaves with a bright grin on his face.

Chapter 26: Things implode

By the time Reid finally works up the nerve to call Briana, he's scared of what she's going to say.

"I don't know, Reid," she sighs once he's told her all about his day yesterday. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

It seems that today is not the day that she’s going to prove him wrong. Too bad, that would have been nice. Reid takes a deep breath.

"Do I need to be sure? Can't I just live, for once?"

"Well, yes," Briana says. She doesn't sound convinced. "But you know you need to be more careful than normal people. And then the thing with your job. What if Everett gets you fired?"

In-two-three, out-two-three.She loves him, she really does. But sometimes, he really wants to shake her.More careful than normal people.As if it's his fault that people keep lying. That'son them. Yes, he doesn't always realize. But why does that have to mean that he doesn't get to live like everyone else does?

"Everett will not get me fired," he says carefully. "And I'm not so sure I want to stay anymore. Would you, under these circumstances?"

There's a huff on the other side of the line. "No, I wouldn't. But if you just wait for them to fire you, what are you going to do next? It could take a while to find another opportunity like this, and Mom and Dad said they would only pay your rent for the rest of the year. So, really, you can't afford to lose this internship in the first place."

Reid barely suppresses a groan. "I'm not just waiting for them to fire me. I'm trying to figure out what to do."

"Do that for long enough and it'll be the same thing," Briana points out. "And if it comes to that, keep in mind that you don't know what'll get around about why they fired you. If they tell anyone you've been inappropriate..."

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