Julian's emotions were all too apparent, perhaps betrayed by his ragged, broken breaths. Ethan gently took Julian's hand, rubbing it softly as if to offer him comfort. It was patently obvious that Ethan was the one who needed to be comforted, yet Ethan Caldwell always wrapped Julian in his protective embrace just like this.
He parted the smaller fingers of the other man, tenderly intertwining their ten digits together, and gently caressed them.
His deep voice seemed to blend into the dimly lit room, carrying a whispered sigh, "Sounds agonizing, doesn't it?"
Julian froze, inexplicably feeling a stinging sensation welling up in his eyes.
Perhaps it was because his heart ached for this man.
