Work Text:
Owen lifts his head from his computer and looks at the office door. He’s been working on reports for the last hour. He’s been putting them off for the last week, having gotten way behind. He hates filling out reports and always lets his mate do them. But Zach had gone back home, to his parents' house, for the week. Which stuck Owen with all the reports. Which is why he’s stuck with a mountain of paperwork that needs to be done before his meeting with the board tomorrow. Whatever the fuck that is about. Because he has no idea and he hardly listened to Claire when she called earlier and yelled at him for not having the reports down and honestly, does she have no faith in him and think he can’t…
Owen stops. He drops the pen and looks up at the door. It’s closed but he can still feel his mate walking towards it. Owen sucks in a sharp breath and smiles as he jumps up. He wasn’t expecting Zach home for another day! He rounds his desk and he’s hit with a wave of grief and anguish and he stumbles. “Fuck…” He’s halfway to the door before it even opens. Zach doesn’t look at him. The younger man’s eyes are on the floor and Owen doesn’t slow until he wraps his arms around him and pulls him closer. He pushes the door shut and pulls Zach farther into the office. “Hey…” He says softly. “Shhh, honey. You’re okay. I got you.”
Zach melts into the older man’s embrace and closes his eyes. He rests his head against Owen’s shoulder and inhales him. He wraps his arms around Owen’s waist and swallows. He feels the tears threatening his eyes again and he lets them come. It’s different than when his father’s words made him cry countless times over the last few days. It’s relief. He’s happy to be home, his real home, on the island and in Owen’s arms.
“You are home.” Owen agrees softly, reading him. “You’re safe with me.”
Zach dips his head against Owen’s neck and sighs. “I know.”
“It’s a good thing I didn’t go with you.” Owen mumbles against Zach’s ear. “I would have beat the shit out of your dad for everything he said to you.”
Zach sighs again. “The restraining order kinda stopped you from coming.”
Owen rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “I only threatened him last time!”
Zach laughs softly. “You threatened to kill him! On camera! At my brother’s graduation!” He pulls away and smiles at Owen. He sniffs and wipes his eyes.
Owen grunts and looks away. “He deserved it.” He mumbles under his breath.
Zach’s smile widens and he pulls his hands away from Owen’s waist and trails them up the man’s chest. Then he wraps them around Owen’s neck and tilts his head. “Hey.”
Owen turns back and smiles. “Hey.”
“Did you miss me?”
Owen groans and nods his head. “Fuck, yes! I hate paperwork!” He says with a straight face.
Zach raises an eyebrow. Then he rolls his eyes and pushes away from Owen. “You didn’t do any of it while I was gone, did you?” He asks, stepping around him and heading towards the desk.
Owen shoves his hands in his pockets as he turns. He shrugs and rocks back on his heels. “I left it for you.” He says with a cheeky smile. “To help you concentrate on something other than the asshole you won’t let me kill.”
Zach picks up the pen and sits down. He pulls the stack of papers closer and studies the top one. Then he nods and waves. “Go get me a fancy coffee from that coffee cart I like.”
Owen nods his head as he steps back towards the door. “Yes, sir!”
Zach can’t help but smile as he watches Owen slip out the door. The younger man breathes out and leans back in the seat for a moment, thinking about how lucky he is to be there. Fuck his parents. He’s never going back. He’ll never leave the island if he can help it. Gray will just have to come visit them. Zach nods and turns his attention back to the report.