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Zane very carefully did not turn his chin toward Ty The very words he’d spoken told Zane several things: Ty was surprised that Zane had shot the ht it had to have been a difficult choice for Zane toso of loss for thea one

Zane sighed softly Ty thought he was a better man than he really was Zane wanted hilanced over at hi at hi Zane’s reaction, trying to decide how to categorize it Then he reached out slowly, taking hold of Zane’s shirt and pulling hihtly, alether Zane could feel the prickle of Ty’s grown-out whiskers against his lips

"Next ti, you tell me," Ty said quietly "Don’t care what it’s about That way I don’t have to guess what you need froether hard, and he sith difficulty, not wanting to pull away from Ty even an inch "I don’t want you to think I can’t back you up," he said, their lips brushing as he spoke

"When I think that, you’ll know it," Ty proh to be able to look him in the eye "It’s twice now you’ve saved ruff voice "Ti of yourself as the weaker half"

Zane spent aTy’s face, his eyes so close, their lips so close "I’ll try," he whispered

Ty nodded, but he didn’t let go of Zane’s shirt, nor did he move away from him

"You’re pretty da his hand to touch Ty’s scruffy cheek gently His beard had grown to nearly a full one It suited hi would suit Ty Ty snorted in ah to take care of yourself," Zane added pointedly

Ty rolled his eyes "You think I could have taken care of e?" he posed

"That’s why I killed hi into Zane’s eyes unwaveringly He smoothed down the material of Zane’s shirt that had bunched under his hand and looked away alretfully "That’s why I said thank you," he pointed out

"There aren’t s left that truly scare me, Ty," Zane said softly "But that’s one of the back at him There was a hint of dread in his voice as he stared devotedly at the ground

Zane looked at hi in ti you But just the sound of Ty’s voice carried a warning; they were too close to a line neither of the over because you actually said thank you," he tried instead

The tension in Ty’s frame ebbed some as he looked at Zane, and he seemed almost relieved to accept the out, as weak as ita scaredy-cat," he advised in an alentle voice

"I’ve had lots of practice," Zane tried to joke as Ty reached out and sesture, one Zane wasn’t sure Ty was even aware of perfor Zane felt the knot in his chest relax as Ty touched him They so rarely shared tender , they were at the sa Zane was never sure whether he wanted h, he decidedly wantedover the collar of his shirt, Zane lowered his head until their foreheads touched, and he brushed his nose against Ty’s

"Quit it," Ty muttered despite the smile Zane could feel on his lips He pushed Zane away half-heartedly and stood

Zane got to his feet, stepped over the log, and caught Ty’s arreed

Ty gave a token struggle just like he always did as Zane wrapped hiame they played when it came to control and power and was often disappointed when he succeeded in eluding Zane’s grasp But it was obvious in the way he let Zane pull hi the contact as much as Zane had while they’d been on theof relief almost palpable as he soaked in Ty’s touch, his scent--even though neither of them had showered in days--and the warmth of his body He shed loudly and rested his chin on Zane’s shoulder as he slid his hands under Zane’s arave his back a fewhi it

To Zane’s surprise, Ty’s ar into a true eed hi at the fabric of Zane’s coat as he did so Zane smiled in the dark as soan to flutter like butterflies instead "I’ll be glad e get hoainst Ty’s cheek

"Shut up," Ty ave Zane’s unhurt cheek a pat A hard one

Zane grinned but kept his rasp Ty’s chin, turned his head, and claio

Ty swatted at hiet carried away," he reminded with a small smirk as he pointed in the direction of their camp

Zane nodded as he tried to calculate just how et back to civilization and get naked somewhere nice and private He’d even settle for se the salanced off into the dark woods, squinting as if trying to find the calow of the flah the dense woods

"Actually, fuck it," Ty decided as he reached out to Zane and pulled hiain to kiss him