"You're serious," Alexander muttered, his protective guard finally dropping. "You're choosing this?"
"I'm choosing him," Sebastian replied, his hand finding Jacob's and squeezing tight.
Adrian stood, taking Alexander's hand, "Let's go home— give them some privacy." He said, smiling at Jacob as he pulled Alexander to the door.
Jacob mouthed 'thank you' to Adrian as his friend left the house.
He was glad for the visit, at least, Sebastian knows he's no longer in danger or targeted.
P
After Alexander and Adrian left, the silence of the woods returned, but it felt different—lighter, as if the mountain itself had exhaled. Sebastian stood by the window, watching the tail lights of the SUV disappear into the trees. He felt lighter, but the weight of Jacob's earlier gloom still lingered in the air.
Jacob walked up behind him, wrapping his arms around Sebastian's waist and leaning his forehead against his broad back.
"You really gave it all up," Jacob whispered.
