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Finally, Matt spoke again “It’s not a bad thing, okay? It’s not and…I think part of me wanted to make you proud…I’uess…” Oliver stopped , couldn’t make himself take another step as he listened to Matt He stopped too, looked at Oliver and added, “I guess you always believed in ettingmy friend—I wanted you to see it orth it I wanted you to know you didn’t put all that energy out in vain”

Oliver’s heart beat wildly against his chest His hands got sweaty so he pulled them out of his pockets, Matt’s words a constant echo in his brain I think part of uess you always believed in me so much; you put yourself on the line for me so much; I wanted you to see it orth it I wanted you to know you didn’t put all that energy out in vain

“I would never think that You have to know that Christ, Matt I’ve always loved you just the way you are You don’t ever have to work to make me proud”

Matt paused, looking down, but then Oliver hooked his finger beneath Matt’s chin and tilted his head back up so they were looking each other in the eyes “Are you hearing me?”

“Yes, sir” Matt winked at him but Oliver didn’t take the bait

“I’m serious”

He sighed “I know you are And I get it, I do It’s just the brain and the heart aren’t always in sync”

That, Oliver definitely understood because his brain had told hio, but his damn heart wouldn’t accept the truth

It was then that Oliver realized he was leaning forward Nothing could hold hiot closer to Matt’s There was no boiling pot to distract them The earth would have to open up and s hi Matt this time

“Why do we keep ending up like this?” Matt whispered

“Don’t know,” Oliver replied, but he did This is what he’d alanted Matt was alhat he’d wanted

When his ainst Matt’s, his friend iled together He still had his finger beneath Matt’s chin He slid it over, placing his hand on Matt’s neck as he pulled him closer, kissed him deeper He tasted like adventure—adventure and passion and history, and Oliver wanted to savor it Wanted to know that taste better than he knew anything else

Matt’s hands went to his hips as he kissed Oliver back with everything Oliver gave him When they finally pulled away, he asked a question that had been on his o to the syht? I asked oing”

Matt cocked his head, his stare intensely on Oliver He felt it to the h he didn’t knohat it meant