#we hug

You had been in the shower for about five minutes, slowly letting the water heat up your freezing limbs. You ducked your head first-face into the water, melting your stiff jaw and cold face. You breathed for a few seconds, standing there silently. Rapid knocks pounded at the door and you jumped.

“Freelancer?” Ah, it was just Gavin. “Yeah, what’s up?” you called back. It was silent for a few seconds, you were about to stick your head out when his reply came. “Can… Can I come in?” You furrowed your eyebrows but let out a ‘yes’, the door cracked open and your demonic lover walked in. Except… he didn't look like himself. Gavin went to sit against the cupboards, not even trying to peek at you. You tilted your head, wiping a section of the fog away from the glass, just enough to allow you to see him. His shoulders were hunched in and his eyes looked distant. “Gavin?” you tested, getting no reply. “Gavin?” you tried again and his eyes shot up to yours, his gaze was glazed over and he was far away. You rinsed off quickly, not uttering another word. You got out, shutting off the water and wrapping a towel around you. You walked towards your vacant lover. He backed away from you quickly, staring at you as if you were a stranger.

A terrifying stranger.

Your heart broke. What had happened?

You crouched down, making yourself seem as non-threatening as possible. As soon as you got close enough, you sat down fully. Placing your hands palm up, showing him you weren't a threat. “Gavin. It’s me. It’s your deviant. I’m hoping wherever you are in there, that you can hear me. I need you to come back to me.” You spoke slowly and calmly, but he still jolted slightly. You crept forward slightly, shuffling the tiniest amount.

A hand placed on his lower calf, you sighed. “It's me Gav. Please. You’re scaring me.” you whispered out, trying to bring him back to reality. Once more his eyes dropped from your gaze, seemingly fighting within his own head. You didn't move, letting him see that it was you and that you weren’t gonna hurt him. You kept your eyes down, trying not to be intimidating. “F-freelancer?” he croaked out, voice cracking. You snapped your eyes up, locking with him. You smiled softly. “Yeah, hi my love.” The words were soft and you could see the tears shimmering on his waterline. Opening your arms, you let Gavin hide in your towel-covered body. You stroked his hair gently “Shh, you’re okay. We’re fine. We’re safe. Vega is out. Nothing can hurt us.”

Gavin shook his head. “He- he was back. He took you... Caelum tried to stop him. You were gone. And I was all alone, again.” You could feel him shaking softly in your arms. You shushed him gently, not pressing him to talk. He slipped his legs next to your sides and his arms around your torso. His grip was tight, rib-crushingly so, but you didn't once think of moving him away. Your demon shook in your arms, tears spilling over. You placed your feet under yourself and stood slowly, keeping one arm around your crying boyfriend. Trudging into the bedroom, you flopped yourselves down, keeping him planted on your chest. He sniffled, trying to stop his tears. You brought one hand to his back, the other wrapping around his waist. His head laid on your heart, he found it comforting to be able to feel your warmth and rhythmic beating. It gave him the physical reassurance that you were still there, that you hadn't left. “Vega is gone. And trust me when I say that I'm not leaving unless you kick me out. You’re stuck with me, pretty boy,” you promised, getting a laugh out of him. Gavin sighed, melting into your loving embrace. He was tired and still freaked out by his nightmare, but at least you were there.

He tapped your chest gently, getting your attention.

“What's up?” you asked softly. “Can we have Caelum over for a movie day tomorrow?” he muttered shyly, cheeks tingling a cute pink. You nodded. “Absolutely. We can even bake some cookies for us all to share.” He smiled at that idea. All he needed was a day surrounded by his favourite people and maybe, just maybe, he’d let you take care of him.