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“I’m not tired.” Cove was lying through his teeth, and Jamie knew it. After all, there was very little Jamie didn’t know about Cove.
“You’re not tired.” Jamie repeated in a teasing tone. Even though it was dark, he could practically see Cove pouting. “You don’t have to stay in bed with me, it won’t hurt my feelings if you wanna stay awake a little longer.”
“No. I want to stay with you.”
Jamie couldn’t help but to chuckle.
“It’s not funny.”
“It’s a little funny.”
“How?”
“You’re cute.”
A few moments of silence, quickly followed by a groan from Cove. Neither could see the other in the dark, but Jamie could tell Cove had just covered his face with his hands. He often did that when he was embarrassed. Jamie bit back another laugh, after all these years he could still make him flustered? Over little comments like that? Not that he minded, not at all.
“I love you.” Jamie finally said, attempting to break the silence. Cove didn’t bother to say a word.
“I love you.”
Nothing.
“I love you, Cove.”
Still, nothing.
“I love you, Cove James Holden. I love your pretty eyes and bright smile. I love that you loved me enough to let me share your last name. I love-“
“Stop. Please.” Cove mumbled, finally pulling his hands away from his face. Jamie could practically feel him staring at him.
With a smile, not that Cove could see it, he placed his hands into Cove’s. A part of Jamie worried he would simply pull away from him, but he didn’t. Instead, the two sat in comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s company.
Jamie closed his eyes, letting the sound of Cove’s soft breathing begin to lull him to sleep. Or, that was the plan at least. Before Cove began to fidget.
“Darling, apple of eye, the sun in my sky.” Jamie began. “I love you so very much, really I do. But I need to sleep. Please, I promise I won’t be mad if you need to burn off some energy in another room.”
A moment of silence, one that would not last very long.
“We could burn off some energy together.”
“Cove James Holden.”
“Jamie Holden?”
Jamie couldn’t help but to burst into a fit of giggles, turning over onto his back and laying his arms over his chest. Cove didn’t join in.
Clearing his throat, Jamie turned back over to Cove. A part of him wished they could at least see eachother right now.
“I mean… if you’d like to. Maybe it’d help us both sleep.” Jamie suggested.
“No, I’m too upset.” Cove said, almost as if Jamie should have known. Perhaps he did.
“Cove.” Was all Jamie managed to say, suddenly feeling a little sick. Of course he knew what Cove was mad about, but it wasn’t exactly fair. At least, in Jamie’s eyes it wasn’t.
“I don’t want tomorrow to come. I don’t want you to leave.” Cove forced out, his voice breaking just a little.
“Oh, Cove.” Jamie sighed, carefully reaching out to wipe his tears away. “I’ll be back.”
“In four months.”
“It’s for my job.”
“Do you HAVE to?” Cove practically whined, sounding like a child hearing their father would miss Christmas due to work.
Not that Cliff or Kyra ever missed an important holiday with Cove. No, instead they left Jamie to be the first one to break his heart like that.
Jamie bit back another laugh.
“If I had the choice you know I’d stay with you. You know I would.” Jamie assured, cupping Cove’s cheek. “If we had a choice, I’d even let you come with me. But then who would watch the fish and cats?”
“We could hire a babysitter.”
“What about the second plane ticket?”
“I could sneak in with your suitcase.”
This time, they both laughed.
“I think you’re a little too tall for that, darling.” Jamie teased, rubbing comforting circles on Cove’s cheek with his thumb. “Maybe if I had a big enough suitcase. But what if they’re not gentle with you? Then I’d have to beat up airport security. Then you wouldn’t see me for years.”
“I don’t think I could last that long.” Cove mumbled, placing his hand over Jamie’s. “Just promise you’ll call every night.”
“I promise.”
“Promise we’ll say goodnight.”
“And ‘I love you.’ Don’t forget.” Jamie teased. “I promise.”
“Okay. I’m okay now.” Cove said, taking a deep breath. “I love you too. I didn’t say it earlier, but I do.”
“I know.” Jamie said, leaning over to press a kiss to Cove’s forehead. “Now, please. I need to sleep.”
“But shouldn’t we burn off energy first?”
“Cove! Well, maybe.”