Page 131 of Cohesion

“Her full name is Purple Piranha,” Quinn explained. “She’s named after Grandma’s beloved car, a purple VW Beetle.”

“I have to meet this woman,” Jericho said.

Quinn threaded his fingers through Jericho’s hair, sliding in close to him. “Stick around long enough, you will.”

“You’re not getting rid of me.”

Quinn kissed him slowly, drawing it out. “Good answer.”

Will loved watching them all kiss and the subtle differences in how they responded to each other. He wanted to spend the rest of his life learning them all by heart. Learning everything about all of them, the good and the bad. To become as familiar with them as he was with Peyton.

“Does anyone else want food?” Quinn asked, giving Jericho one last kiss.

“Yesssss,” Peyton said, tipping his head back. “Do you take requests?”

“I’m afraid there’s nothing fresh in the house, so it’s likely a get-what-you’re-given situation,” Quinn said. “I cleaned it all out the other day and haven’t restocked since I haven’t been home properly for a while. Pantry staples is what we’re stuckwith. There might be some cheese in the fridge that hasn’t gone mouldy.”

“I’ll help,” Will said, standing. He kissed Peyton quickly, lips ghosting before pressing firmly and dipping in for a tiny taste before he moved on to Sebastian. He was careful, not wanting to aggravate his lip or touch any of the bruises, but he couldn’t not do it. That physical reassurance needed constant nurturing.

Sebastian leaned up into the touch, one hand fisting Will’s shirt. “You don’t have to be gentle with me,” he murmured.

“I know. I want to be.” That would be true even if he wasn’t hurt. “Wanting to take care of you, and be gentle with you, isn’t because we think that you’re weak or because you need it. It’s because we love you, and you scared the fucking shit out of us. Convincing ourselves that you’re okay isn’t as simple as seeing it.”

“Gonna have to get used to it for a while,” Jericho agreed, nodding.

“So all this is purely selfish?” Sebastian said, smiling against Will’s lips.

Will thumbed his cheek gently. The bruising was beginning to purple, all ugly blotches on his pale skin. The sooner they were gone, the sooner they couldallrelax. “It’s completely selfish. We need you.”

“I need you too,” Sebastian whispered.

“Then let us look after you.”

“I draw the line at like… you brushing my teeth or helping me piss.”

Quinn snorted. “I think we can work within those boundaries.”

“Wait,” Sebastian said, twisting around to look at him. “I should add more. I have more to add to the list!”

“Too late. Contract signed.”

“Hey!” Sebastian called out, but Quinn’s back was already turned, heading out the door.

Will gleefully followed, ignoring more of Sebastian’s protests. He caught up before Quinn could get to the fridge and slipped an arm around him, pulling him back against his chest and nuzzling his neck.

Quinn reached up, threading his fingers in Will’s hair, relaxing his weight.

They stayed like that for a long moment, surrounded by the quiet buzz of the fridge and murmurs of voices coming from the lounge.

“I always knew why Peyton was in love with you all those years,” Will said softly, breathing in Quinn’s scent, “but now Iknow.”

“I’m not the person that you think I am. I’m not…”

“Yes, you are,” Will said simply. He squeezed Quinn, holding him closer.

Quinn was strong, and resilient, and had the kindest, biggest heart. “I don’t think that you’re perfect. We all have flaws and parts of ourselves that we wished we didn’t. That’s what it means to be human.” He smoothed his palm up Quinn’s chest and settled it over his heart. “You think I look at you differently after yesterday? After knowing more about your past with Sebastian? I don’t. If anything, I love you more because it means that you’re real. And that maybe I’m good enough to touch you.”

“You were always so much better than good, William.” He twisted in Will’s arms. “I don’t know how I didn’t notice you.”

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