Asher moved quickly, wrapping Xavier in a tight embrace the moment he saw the tears spilling from his eyes. His grip softened immediately, hands sliding around Xavier's waist as though he could shield him from every terrible thought clawing at his mind.
"Oh Xavier… what's going on?" he asked quietly. "If you don't like it, I'll never ask for it again."
Xavier didn't answer at first.
Instead, his shoulders trembled harder, and more tears escaped him.
"I'm scared for us, Asher," he finally admitted, voice rough and cracking apart. "For you… for our future. Something keeps telling me I'm going to lose you. That I'm not strong enough to protect you… or my family. I don't know what to do anymore."
His words dissolved into another broken sob as he buried his face deeper into Asher's shoulder.
"I know I'm supposed to be a man who never cries," Xavier whispered bitterly, "but this fear keeps choking me. It makes me feel like I can't even breathe."
Asher's eyes widened slightly.
