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"No one's going to hurt you ever again."
The words are whispered into his hair, so quiet they could be mistaken for a breath. Were it not for his ear pressed to Gus' chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart—and the sloshing of his bile sac—Hunter may not have heard his words at all.
It's the middle of the night and they're curled up warmly in Gus' bed. The blankets are piled over them, and beneath, his boyfriend is clinging to him almost desperately. He's no different, snuggled fiercely under Gus' chin as if the boy threatens to slip away at any moment.
Despite the late hour, Gus' words have him blinking his eyes open.
He debates speaking up, but…what would he say? He's usually out like a snuffed candle the moment Gus' arms wrap themselves around his shoulders; were the words even for his waking self to hear?
Still… It feels wrong to leave Gus' words just sitting in the air like that.
Hunter nuzzles closer into Gus' chest. "I love you," he says, because that feels right. Loving Gus always feels right. "I won't let anybody hurt you either."
A kiss falls onto his hair, pressed so gently and sweetly that tears nearly sting his eyes. "I love you too, Hunter. So much."
Then, at last, sleep takes Hunter. He is lulled into dreams by the familiar song of Gus' heart.