Page 64 of Designation: Null

Then Robert makes space in the chest of drawers and Logan unpacks all of his socks and underwear. He gets Logan a drawer in the bathroom as well, and then goes back to the kitchen, giving Logan a minute to get used to what is now his bedroom.

Thisis his drawer.

Thatis his side of the bed.

This isvery, verystrange.

The bathroom smells faintly of Robert’s cologne and shampoo. The bedroom is tidy and the bed has a large duvet with a diamond-stitched pattern all over a soft gray fabric and a maroon border. It’s tasteful and manly and comfy. He runs his hand along the fabric and then sits down.

Robert—hisDaddyis going to fuck him in this bed. He’s going to sleep beside Logan and kiss him. He’ll wake up with Robert, and even though he doesn’t want to get his hopes up, there’s a strange level of comfort suffusing him already. This is his home. And even though it’s stupid to get confident or content, this might be his home for the rest of his life. He might get to keep Robert. He stares out the window for a moment and then realizes Robert is leaning against the doorframe. He’s smiling.

“What?”

“I like you being here.” Robert yawns, covering his mouth. “I’m so fucking tired.” Robert yawns again and then apologizes. “Sorry. Do you want to take a nap?”

Logan laughs. “Doyouwant to take a nap?”

“I do. But I want to take a nap with you.”

“Then I want to take a nap,” Logan says, blushing, and Robert comes into the bedroom, taking off his own pants and his shirt like it isn’t a big deal. He pulls back the covers.

Logan is hesitating. The buttons of his shirt are undone and he’s pulled it out of his pants but can’t quite bring himself to take it off. Robert gets into bed and yawns again. He closes his eyes. Logan shoves the shirt off his shoulders and undoes his jeans, shucks them off and then gets into bed, hauling the covers up. Robert moves toward him.

“There are times where I have nightmares,” Robert murmurs.

“That’s to be expected,” Logan says, lacing their fingers together. “I do, too.”

“Okay. I just thought I should warn you. God, you’re beautiful, Logan. I can’t believe you’re here and you want to be with me.”

Robert gets blurry. Logan tries to get closer. “I do. It’s the only thing I want.”

Robert’s eyes look a little wet when he opens them again. Christ, are they both emotional about this?

“I was so scared for you last night. I could feel that you weren’t right.”

“I wasn’t,” Logan admits, his head going even closer. He presses his lips to Robert’s. His head is on Robert’s pillow. He’d half thought they’d get here and have sex but this is nice, too. Maybe even better. Just getting to be close to Robert and safe for a little while.

The calm before the storm or something.

Robert presses their foreheads together. “We’re together now. Fuck, I’m tired. I’m sorry. It’s like, now that you’re safe, now that Ihaveyou, and you’re safe with me, it’s just hitting me. I can relax now. We’re safe. I’ve never felt so much fear as I did last night. Even when I was being held captive… I can’t stand you hurting, Logan.”

“It’s okay,” he murmurs, and kisses Robert gently. His throat is thick with emotion. Robert really does care for him.

“It’s okaynow.” Robert smiles and it pours through Logan like warmth.

His arms are tight around Logan, wanting him close. No one has ever wanted him like Robert does. As if he’s a live teddy bear to hold on to and seek comfort from. And that’s when it clicks.

“I think you need me, too,” Logan whispers, half hoping Robert is already asleep so he won’t deny it. Robert’s lips are slack, his breathing even.

“I do, Logan. I really do,” he says, and then his hand goes lax in Logan’s as he falls asleep.

Logan stares at Robert, touches his cheek, listens to him breathe. All the things one presumably gets to do when they’re intimate with a beloved. Robert is his person now. His home. And this is where they’ll live. He gets to touch Robert whenever he wants to. He can look at him endlessly. No one will shame him or tell him to stop. He won’t have to police himself for wanting something he shouldn’t.

It’s actually exactly what he needed, to have this time to think about how different everything is for him now. This is his Dominant. They need each other, will take care of each other. He doesn’t have his family, but he can have Robert’s.

Caring parents, brothers, and sisters.

If only he could have Daniel with him.

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