Resilience (38 page)

“I’m not perfect,” Todd mumbled, but he was pleased, Adam knew. “Far from it.”

Adam rubbed his nose against Todd’s, enjoying the simple touch. “But you are, Todd. You’re perfect for me, and you’re the best person I’ve ever known, will ever know.”

Todd mumbled a denial, and Adam could feel the heat from his blush, which he found more endearing than he could express. “You know it’s true.” He found Todd’s hand, brought it down to press to his chest, letting Todd feel his heartbeat. “Feel how much I believe it.

Here, and here,” Adam said, his mind open and filled with all the goodness he saw in Todd.

“Oh,” Todd said after a moment, just the one word, but it was filled with enough awe that Adam knew he’d shown Todd what he’d meant. He wanted that, wanted Todd to understand how special he was, and how Adam knew he was the luckiest man ever to have Todd’s love.

“But I’m just as lucky,” Todd told him, and, before Adam could protest, Todd proceeded to show him just how lucky they both truly were.

******