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I pull hiainst me "Fuck, Ez Don’t be sorry Why are you sorry?"

I hug hi to regulate his breathing I have the thought I wonder if this changes anything, and right on cue, he hugs hter

"Always taking care of me," he says in a hoarse, thick voice

"I got you, always"

"I hurt you"

"You were hurt, too"

"I left you” His voice breaks “At the hospital"

"You came back"

"I left your rooht I had to" His voice steadies out, but he’s tre

"I know, angel"

"I was scared of her I’roan sound "Carl," he moans

"He’s okay, angel Promise I just saw him"

Heavy breathing Shaking I's all at once, in a motel room alone, would be a shock to anybody But he speaks first "I loved the roof…with you” His forehead feels hot on my throat

"I loved that too"

"You played cello for me"

I nod, rubbing his back

"You were so cute in band" His voice breaks, and he ss, trying to keep fro about you"

"I loved you too"

"I hurt you…over and over”

"You gave me my first blow job My first kiss Do you really remember? Remember the cemetery kiss?"

He's nodding "I was chicken shit and tried to run"

"You were beautiful I'll never forget that day"

"You hs Another shudder follows his soft laugh Then he's just shaking “Sorry I can’t stop" His voice sounds gasped "Is so with me?”

I tip ainst his I rubto feel how fast he's breathing “WellI don't think so But your lips are cold”

"The Icee" It's a whimper "I remembered from an Icee"

I hug hi shocked I want to ask exactly how it happened What it felt like How he feels noant to know it all But he's still clinging toI know he's overwhelmed and maybe even scared What could that possibly feel like, that influx of context…history…feelings?

I rub his back “You wanna get into the shoith me?”

“No," he whispers

His body feels warot you You're okay"

Ezra curls againsthis cheeksand then his lips findlike normal; he seems dazed, his body still racked with shivers

“If you're ever stranded in an avalanche, you’ll do good, baby Keep the whole crearm”

He laughs