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"I thought cowboys didn't get the blues" Octavius said as Jed collapsed by his side.
"We shouldn't. It's awful." Jed muttered back, his breath different from normality.
"Did you drink, dear?"
Octavius pulled Jed by his shoulders, ignoring him almoat screaming he doesn't like to be manhandled, and put Jed's head on his lap. He started to caress his scalp, which made Jed relax.
"What did you drink?"
"The boys gave me whiskey. I ain't strong to drink, it seems. Only two doses and look at the state of I."
They stayed quiet a little, then Octavius felt warm drops falling on his lap. Tears.
"Why are you feeling blue, amore mio?"
"D'ya think I should cut my hair?" Jed answered with another question. The crying wasn't that bad, so it didn't affect his voice that much.
"I like it the way it is. And I don't think it'll grow back later."
"Should I let it grow, then?"
Octavius didn't get the time to say that his hair won't grow either way.
"Would ya like it better if I was a girl?"
"No, dear. I love you the way you are. Why are you thinking about this? I don't even feel attracted to women."
"It'd be easier... I can't bear you a son being this way."
"Do you want to have kids?"
"No. But that ain't the principle."
"Well, I don't want to have kids. I want to be with you."
"And... is it enough?" He asked, then quickly added" Me. Am I enough?"
"Of course you are, my darling, amore mio" Octavius said. The crying was worsening. He started to put Jed sitting so he could hold him better.
Jed didn't even say anything this time. He just accepted being hold, it has been a while since this happened. They weren't exactly physical yet.
"Why won't ya kiss me?" Jed asked, his voice now hoarse.
"I didn't think you wanted me to" he said, being very honest. "If I kiss you now, will you remember it the next night?"
"I will. Remember, I mean."
The crying was finally lessening. Octavius planted the most sincere and yet calm kiss ever on Jed's lips.
"You know you can talk to me, right? Without drinking. I'll always hear."
Jed didn't answer, he just let his head rest on Octavius' shoulder.
"Do you want to get cookies? You'll need sugar in the blood."
Jed finally looked at Octavius. His face was red and the path of the tears was visible. Yet he looked beautiful.
"Yeah. Cookies sound nice."