Page 99 of His Boys to Protect

Ward could only shrug to himself and follow.

Despite Charlie's pickiness, Ward couldn't help smiling. He'd forgotten just how pleasant this could be, sharing such a simple, domestic experience with someone.

They went through checkout, and Charlie insisted on bagging the groceries himself, needing to make sure it was done right. Then they got back into Ward's truck and headed to the restaurant they'd picked for lunch. Ward had let Charlie choose where to go, deciding that would be easiest all around, and they'd called in their order as soon as they got to the grocery store. It was probably just about ready.

Ward took Charlie inside with him, gave his name, and paid. He was just about to grab the bags and walk out when Charlie insisted they had to check to make sure everything was there.Without waiting for a response, Charlie opened the bags and unpacked everything, right there on the counter.

Charlie took the time to make sure Skylar's burger didn't have tomatoes on it, then checked his own to make sure it did. They were holding up the line, but Charlie was oblivious. He checked the next container, giving a quietchirpof approval, but then stopped at the one after that. Charlie rocked on his feet and whined, jabbing a finger at the box.

It wasn't the side that Ward had picked for his meal. Charlie stood there, rocking incessantly, right up until they brought out the correct item. Then Charlie gave a long, drawn-outsqueak, only to cut off abruptly and duck his head, eyeing the people all around them.

“Hey, buddy,” Ward murmured. “It's okay.” He watched as Charlie quickly repacked their food into the bags and snatched them off the counter. “You ready?”

Charlie gave a quick nod and made a dash for the door.

Ward hurried to follow him. He unlocked the truck and waited while Charlie got the bags situated, then made sure the boy was buckled before he got in and headed for home.

Back at the apartment, they carried everything inside, and Charlie immediately took over, putting the groceries away. Ward left him to it and went to check on Skylar.

He found the boy curled up on the bed, hugging his bag. Skylar had his eyes squeezed shut, his little body tense.

“Sky? Hey, baby. You okay?”

Skylar slowly opened his eyes. “I got this horrible feeling you guys were never coming back.”

Ward's heart clenched.Geez. He knelt down on the floor and shook his head. “We're here, sweetheart. Everything's fine.” Ward paused. “Did you sleep at all?”

Skylar grimaced. That was all the answer Ward needed.

“How about you come eat something? Then we'll all take a nap on the couch.”

“Charlie doesn't nap,” Skylar said.

“I don't either,” Ward admitted. “But maybe we can put on the TV real low and just relax. Sound good?”

After a slight hesitation, Skylar said, “Okay.” He paused, eyeing his bag, then slowly sat up, still clutching it in his arms.

“It's safe, baby. I promise.”

“Ward–”

“Hey, I know. I understand.” Ward ran a hand through Skylar's hair. “You're untethered again. But this time, you actually have a safety net,” he added, resting a hand on Skylar's bag. “I get it. You're afraid to lose it. But it's not going anywhere. We're out of the city. The front door is locked. The windows are locked. Charlie and I won't let anything happen to you. Or to this,” he added, tapping on the bag. “It's okay, baby. You're safe.”

It took a long moment, but Skylar slowly let go of his bag. “Can we still go to the bank tomorrow?”

Ward nodded. “First thing, I promise. I'm gonna call John and let him know I need the day off–”

“But–”

Ward held up a hand. “I can miss a day of work, Sky. Then we'll go do whatever you need. Okay?”

Skylar looked away, blinking rapidly like he was going to cry again, then finally gave a nod. “Okay.”

“Good. Now come eat something.”

Skylar took Ward's hand and slid off the bed, following him out to the living room. “So,” Skylar quietly began, “how was it? Shopping with him, I mean.”

“It was fine,” Ward assured him. “Although, I asked him if he wanted some hungry soup, but he said,'No space.'I'm not sure what that means.”

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