Page 83 of Small Sacrifices

"I found something that implicates your father in a criminal conspiracy with the Agrifarm thing," Reid says. Better to get it out all at once. That way, at least, he won't have to worry about the reaction too much.

Everett tilts his head and frowns. "I'm sorry, what?"

And so Reid tells him everything. About how he sat on the couch just a few feet away and first read that email, then panicked. About how they don't have the attachment, so they don't have actual proof. About how Marisol said Mr. Wright just brushed it to the side, and about how he demanded sex for a promotion just a few days later.

He also says, "I'm really sorry for not telling you sooner. I wanted to. I just didn't really know how. And wedon'thave actual proof, so…"

"I would've believed you." The expression on Everett's face is severe. "God, I knew he probably knewsomething,but this is…"

"I'm sorry!"

Everett snorts. "Alright, I guess it's my turn now to tell you that this wasn't your fault. My father and his people are fucking ghouls. You were just trying to do the right thing and got caught in the crosshairs."

Reid isn't sure that description is accurate, but Everett seems passionate about it, so he leaves it be. Instead, he picks at his cuticles. It takes Everett slowly tapping him on the knee to realize he's retreated into himself again.

"Hey, are you sure you're fine?" he asks. "You're very quiet. Did he scream at you or something?"

The question makes Reid all warm inside, and he can't help but smile. "No. My brain just hasn't fully caught up yet, so I feel a bit numb. I'll be furious in an hour, I promise."

Everett grins. "Oh, youpromise?Well, now I have to stay. I'd probably pay to see that. You, furious? That's quite magnificent."

What? Reid turns to Everett so that he can see him better. "When have you seen me furious?"

"Friday." The answer is quick and sure. "You read me the riot act when I kissed you. And rightfully so, but can I just say? You were glorious."

That… is not a word that Reid has ever associated with himself.Glorious.Neither ismagnificent.An entire lifetime of experiences has taught him to not believe people when they say things like that. Usually, they're just mocking him. But this is Everett. Reid doesn't fight the smile that spreads on his face.

"I was?" he asks.

"Oh, absolutely. All that righteous anger… It was a good thing you put me in my place, honestly. If I hadn't been so horrified at myself, who knows what might've happened."

If Reid draws a sharp breath at this admission, then that's his business. Everett, thankfully, is distracted by the truly alarming noise his knee makes when he shifts around.

"Ow. D'you think we could take this to the couch, maybe?"

Since Reid's butt is already numb from the hard floor, that sounds like a good idea. So he nods and lets Everett pull him to his feet. But Everett either underestimates his own strength or maybe he just doesn't pay attention, because he pulls way too hard. They almost topple over. By the time they've righted themselves, they're nose to nose.

Reid's throat runs dry. A breath ghosts over his lips, and the tingling sensation of it makes his own breath stutter. All on its own, his gaze wanders down to Everett's mouth. Was it this overwhelming to be close to Everett on Friday? He doesn't think so. But then why is itworse?He's already kissed him, so shouldn't it be easier now that he knows what that feels like?

A small sound escapes Reid when Everett's hand molds itself to his jaw. It forces him to look up again, and that's not much better, because Everett's pupils are blown so wide that his eyeslook black in the dim light of the apartment. Reid doesn't want to assume. But that look... It's a lot.

"Can I kiss you?" Everett asks, voice husky.

Reid decides it's most expedient to answer that question by just moving in. From the very beginning, the kiss is deep. His hands are on Everett's chest, which makes it easy to snarl his fingers in the collar of his shirt and drag him closer. Everett's other hand is lying on Reid's hip. It's not gripping onto him as much as clenching periodically, like he wants to tug Reid closer but doesn't quite dare to.

It's amazing how quickly Reid forgets everything around him. All he can do is feel. Everett's large hand splayed over his jaw, the tips of his fingers tangled in Reid's curls. Everett's breath on his face, deep and surprisingly loud. It sounds like he'stryingto control it, but failing. And finally, the soft drag of his lips on Reid's. It's enough to make Reid shudder and take a step closer.

Somehow, that translates to Everett pushing him up against his door. He must make some sort of sound when his back makes contact with the wood, because Everett immediately breaks the kiss and moves back so that he can look at Reid.

"You okay?" he asks. "This... is this okay?"

"Yes," Reid says. It's surprising how breathy his voice is. He's looking up at Everett, whose eyes are flitting over his face for a hint that maybe somethingisoff. Reid appreciates that, in a way, but it would be great if Everett could just trust his word.

"This isn't too much?"

Reid frowns. "Why would it be?" This is brilliant. His synapses are singing.

He watches Everett's Adam's Apple bob before he says, "You'll tell me if I go too far? I'll try to ask, but can you help me?"

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