Page 118 of Peach Tree Family

In his head, Seth was still hearing him say that they were boyfriends. That made him wonder what Theo might do with a boyfriend that he didn't do with him. He couldn't really think of anything.

They were sitting together on the small couch. Theo was looking at something that had to do with writing computer code. Seth had started watching some movie, but he wasn't interested in anything except Theo. He noticed that Theo twisted like his back was bothering him. It was probably because of the way he hunched over the laptop.

Sneaking a hand behind him, Seth started rubbing circles over his back. He made sure not to do it too gently or Theo would think he was hitting on him. Moving his hand up, he rubbed his shoulder. When Theo let out a groan, Seth pressed into that spot a little more.

He was using both hands now, and Theo turned to make it easier. After a while, Seth worked his way lower again, but Theo grabbed one of his hands and pulled it forward toward his crotch.

Seth didn't let him. He didn't want Theo thinking that was what he was after all along.

"Are you teasing me?" Theo said.

"Not me. I'm just trying to be good to you," Seth told him.

"Does a foot rub come with that?"

"Sure," Seth leaned down to grab for his feet but Theo pulled them back.

"I was kidding," Theo said.

Seth was disappointed, but then he leaned down again and lightly trailed his fingertips over Theo's feet, tugged on his socks a little. "You sure?"

"You're trying to seduce me," Theo said and reminded Seth that he didn't want him thinking that.

He straightened quickly and said, "No." That made Theo look at him funny and set aside his laptop. Before he could say anything, Seth asked him, "What are you looking for?"

"What do you mean?" Theo said.

"In a guy. I mean a guy you could see being with forever."

"I'll know it when I find it." Theo said, telling him nothing. Then he turned it around on Seth. "And you?"

Seth couldn't tell him that he already found what he was after. "I'm not looking for anything. Just as long as I get to be around you, that's good enough for me."

"And that's all you want?"

Seth didn't want to say too much, but he couldn't help speaking from the heart. "I always want to be where you are."

"You make it sound like your whole world revolves around me," Theo said like he didn't believe that could be true. But it was.

Seth smiled sadly. He just couldn't deny the truth. "Maybe that's just how it is. And how I want it. I don't know much, but I do know that I don't want to be any further from you than this."

"Don't you want something that's just for you?" Theo said and stared at him with his brow furrowed like he was trying to add up some hard math in his head.

"I don't know how to explain it." Seth cast his eyes all around then he noticed the trees out in the darkness out the window. "It's like a tree has roots in the ground. It doesn't have to wonder where it's going or what it's going to do with itself. I feel like that when I'm with you. Like you're holding me right where I need to be and..." He trailed off. That feeling of rightness wouldn't stay with him if Theo said he didn't want him. Just at the thought of it, his chest felt like there was a concrete slab pressing down on it.

Seth shut his eyes and then felt Theo's hand on his, their fingers entwining. Opening his eyes, looking at him, Seth got the most incredible feeling of being held in his steady gaze and knowing where he needed to be.

***

Theo knew he started this when he called them boyfriends then took it back. The word had scared him. His own feelings scared him, but now Seth was telling him how he felt, and Theo wished he had told him the truth.

"I wasn't expecting this," Theo said though he hated to break the spell.

"I'm sorry if I said more than I should have," Seth told him. "I just can't help thinking that you're amazing, and..."

Theo stopped him with a finger to his lips. "It's my turn. You're the one who is amazing. I should have told you."

"I'm nothing special," Seth said looking down at their clasped hands.

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