The words didn't disappear after he said them.
They stayed there.
I don't want you to.
Elias felt it immediately the difference between everything that had happened before and this moment right here.
Before, there had always been an escape.
A way to explain things.
To redefine them.
To reduce everything into something manageable.
Now there was none of that.
Now it was just… real.
Dominic felt it too.
The moment the words left Elias's mouth, something in his expression shifted. The teasing edge softened, replaced by something quieter.
More certain.
He didn't kiss him immediately this time.
Instead, he stayed close, close enough that Elias could feel the warmth of his breath, but not closing the distance just yet.
"You realize," Dominic said softly, "you've never said anything like that to me before."
Elias didn't look away.
"I'm aware."
Dominic studied him carefully.
"You usually hide behind… everything else."
"I know."
"And now?"
Elias hesitated for a fraction of a second.
Then he answered honestly.
"I'm tired of doing that."
The honesty landed between them, heavier than anything else that night.
Dominic's hand moved slightly along Elias's side again, slower this time, almost cautious.
Like he was adjusting to this new version of him.
"That's new," Dominic murmured.
"Yes."
Dominic smiled faintly.
"I like it."
Elias raised an eyebrow.
"That's an opinion."
"It's a strong one."
Elias almost smiled.
Dominic noticed immediately.
"You're smiling."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"That's inaccurate."
Dominic chuckled quietly.
"Still the same."
But his voice softened again.
"Just… less guarded."
Elias didn't deny it.
For once.
Another quiet moment passed.
The system behind them continued its silent processing, the screens glowing steadily, but neither of them paid attention anymore.
Dominic leaned a little closer.
Not kissing him.
Just… closing the space.
"You know what this means, right?" he asked quietly.
Elias frowned slightly.
"What?"
Dominic held his gaze.
"You don't get to pretend this is nothing anymore."
Elias exhaled slowly.
"I wasn't planning to."
Dominic blinked.
That answer surprised him.
"Really?"
Elias nodded.
"Yes."
Dominic studied him carefully, like he was trying to figure out if this was real.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
Dominic let out a quiet breath, something almost like relief passing through his expression.
"Okay."
Elias tilted his head slightly.
"That response seems underwhelming."
Dominic laughed softly.
"I'm trying not to ruin the moment."
"That's new."
"I can change that if you want."
Elias raised an eyebrow.
"I would prefer you didn't."
Dominic smiled.
"Good."
His hand moved again, more confidently now, resting at Elias's waist like it belonged there.
Elias didn't react this time.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't step back.
Dominic noticed.
"You're getting used to this."
Elias answered quietly.
"Yes."
Dominic's smile softened.
"That might be my favorite thing you've said tonight."
Elias looked at him.
"You've said that multiple times."
"Because you keep surprising me."
Elias hesitated.
"That was not my intention."
"I know."
Dominic leaned closer again, their foreheads brushing lightly.
"But I'm not complaining."
Elias studied him for a moment.
Then he asked something he hadn't asked all night.
"Dominic."
"Yeah?"
"What happens now?"
The question lingered between them.
It was different from everything else.
Less about the moment.
More about what came after.
Dominic didn't answer immediately.
He just looked at him.
Really looked at him.
Then he smiled softly.
"Now?"
"Yes."
Dominic's hand moved slightly, his thumb brushing gently against Elias's side again.
"Now we stop pretending this is temporary."
Elias felt something shift quietly in his chest.
"And then?"
Dominic leaned closer, just enough that his lips brushed Elias's again before he spoke.
"Then we figure it out."
Elias frowned slightly.
"That's vague."
Dominic laughed under his breath.
"I know."
"That's not helpful."
Dominic smiled.
"It's honest."
Elias considered that.
Then nodded slightly.
"That is acceptable."
Dominic's expression softened again.
"Good."
He leaned in once more, slower this time, more deliberate
And kissed him again.
Not to test anything.
Not to prove anything.
But because now…
They both knew exactly what it meant.