Page 33 of Unicorn Unashamed

“Right,” Josh said, cheeks pink. “I’m going to go turn my living room into a blanket nest. Join me when the chocolate’s ready?”

“Yeah,” Raymond said, a smile still in his voice, “of course.”

It still took a few extra moments before Josh was able to make himself leave the room, beaming all the while.

***

“Hey,” Raymond said, as he brought the mugs into the living room. He handed one to Josh. “Now don’t spare my feelings if you don’t like it.”

“Oh yeah,” Josh said, inhaling deep. “I’ll be sure to get right on that. Homemade hot chocolate. The worst thing.”

Raymond smiled, pleased heat rising to his cheeks. “You haven’t even tasted it yet.”

“Don’t have to. Unicorn super senses. We can detect goodness.”

“Can you now,” Raymond said, taking a seat next to Josh on the couch. Right next to him, and Josh wasted no time cuddling up close. Raymond slung his free arm around Josh’s shoulders, reveling in the sight and scent of his partner safe and happy and content. “Don’t think you’ve mentioned that to me before.”

“Mm-hm. Very important super senses.” Josh took a sip, then sighed happily.

Raymond grinned. “Good?”

“Really, really good. I’m so glad you brought over vanilla extract.”

Raymond laughed and set down his own mug on the coffee table to reach for the remote while jostling Josh as little as possible. “Any preferences?”

“Mm.” Josh wriggled even closer. “Something fun and light. Animated?”

“Alright, let’s see what we can find.”

They watched the movie in companionable silence, broken only with sips of hot chocolate. When Josh was done with his mug, he moved just enough to put it down, immediately nuzzling back into Raymond’s side, eyes sliding shut.

“Hey,” Raymond said quietly. “You want to lie down for a bit?”

Josh let out a breath of a laugh. “Yeah, maybe. It’s… it’s nice. I haven’t gotten this in a while, you know? Being virile and getting to relax around someone I trust. Usually I’m climbing the walls by now.”

“Or trying to do a training session?” Raymond teased.

“Maybe.”

Raymond wasn’t sure if he was ever going to get over how much it affected him to know that he was Josh’s trusted person. It made him feel so proud. So important. “Here, shift down.” He patted the couch cushions. “I gotcha.”

“Mm. Okay.” Josh shifted until his head was pillowed on Raymond’s thigh.

Raymond immediately stroked a hand over Josh’s hair. “That okay?”

“Yeah. S’nice.”

Raymond beamed and kept up with his gentle stroking, pleased beyond all reason at the additional show of trust and affection. Josh wanted him. Wanted him here and now, and trusted Raymond to take care of him.

It made Raymond want to touch him more. Make him feel as good as possible. Though he wasn’t sure when exactly Josh would need him for more.

“Hey,” he murmured several minutes later, just to check if Josh was awake.

“Mm?”

Barely. And that was nice too. “Nothing. Go to sleep.”

“Ugh, I shouldn’t,” Josh mumbled, though he didn’t move.

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