Chapter 108 108: I Forget How To Breathe
The words landed like fire.
Baby's breath caught.
Saint's hand slid from his chin to the side of his neck, thumb resting against his pulse. It was racing wildly beneath his skin.
"Look at you," Saint murmured. "Standing here crying like you're the one who got your heart broken."
"I did," Baby whispered.
Saint froze.
Baby's voice shook.
"When you looked at me like I was nothing… that hurt more than anything I said to you."
Something in Saint's expression cracked.
For a second the hard mask slipped.
His hand moved without permission, fingers curling deeper around the back of Baby's neck.
"Damn you," he muttered.
Then he shoved the small latch of the dwarf door open.
The barrier swung aside with a quiet click.
Baby barely had time to breathe before Saint stepped forward and grabbed him.
One arm wrapped around Baby's waist, the other gripping the back of his neck as Saint pulled him flush against his bare chest.
Baby gasped softly.
Warm.
God, he was warm.
Saint's cigarette fell somewhere forgotten to the balcony floor.
"Do you have any idea," Saint said against Baby's hair, voice rough with restraint, "how hard it was not to touch you all day?"
Baby clutched the sides of Saint's waist like a lifeline.
"I thought you hated me."
Saint pulled back just enough to look at him.
"Hate you?" he repeated quietly.
His thumb brushed Baby's swollen lower lip.
"I'm in love with you, idiot."
The confession slipped out before he could stop it.
Both of them froze.
Baby's eyes widened, shimmering under the dim balcony lights.
"Saint?"
Saint closed his eyes briefly like a man who had just jumped off a cliff.
"You're my ruin, Danvers," he muttered.
Baby stared at him for two seconds.
Then suddenly he grabbed Saint's shirtless shoulders and kissed him.
Hard.
Messy.
Desperate—like a man starving for air..
Saint inhaled sharply against his mouth, but the moment lasted half a heartbeat before instinct took over.
His arms tightened around Baby, lifting him slightly as he kissed him back with equal hunger.
Weeks of tension poured out of the kiss.
Baby's fingers tangled in Saint's hair.
Saint's hand slid down Baby's back, gripping the waistband of his sleep pants like he needed proof this was real.
When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing heavily.
Foreheads pressed together.
Saint rested his nose against Baby's temple.
"You're still a reckless idiot," he murmured.
Baby gave a soft laugh, cheeks flushed.
"Yeah."
His fingers traced Saint's chest slowly.
"But I'm your reckless idiot."
Saint's lips curved faintly.
His arms tightened around Baby again. "Come here," he whispered, pulling Baby closer against the quiet night.
For the first time in days, neither of them felt cold anymore.
Baby buried his face deeper in Saint's shoulder, inhaling that intoxicating scent he'd missed so much.
"I'm sorry, Saint," he murmured.
Saint didn't reply. He simply wrapped his hand around Baby's wrist and stepped away from their embrace.
"Come," he said, leading Baby into his room.
Baby followed obediently, allowing Saint to lead him toward the bed.
"Sit," Saint pointed to the bed.
Baby hesitated before letting go of Saint's hand. He was scared he'd wake up from this beautiful dream if he let go.
But this was real, he knew it.
Saint went and locked the balcony door and then returned to Baby's side.
He slid into the bed, nodding once at Baby.
Baby didn't need a second invitation. He slowly moved up the bed, stretching himself right in front of Saint.
No words were said, just two men taking each other in in the silence, too scared to speak and spoil the moment.
Baby's eyes roamed Saint's face, biting his lips as he settled on Saint's lips.
A darkened look flashed across Saint's eyes and very slowly he slid over, their legs rubbing together.
He lifted his hand, his fingers slowly trailing delicately from Baby's wrist and up his arm.
He paused on Baby's neck, his thumb rubbing over the racing pulse in slow circles, eyes never leaving Baby's.
Slowly he leaned in, his breath ghosting over Baby's lips. "I missed you, too," he whispered before claiming Baby's lips in a slow, intoxicating kiss.
Baby moaned softly, his hand sliding behind Saint's neck to cup the back of his head as he deepened their kiss.
He moved closer, vanishing any space that was ever between them as he threw his leg over Saint's, plastering himself against Saint's solid form.
Saint approved by sliding his tongue in, licking around Baby's tongue in that nasty, sweet manner that had Baby gasping for breath.
Baby shuddered, his hand sliding down between their bodies to reach for Saint.
"We should stop," Saint pulled away, panting.
Baby's face fell. "You're still angry? I swear I didn't do it with Candy, I just –"
"I know," Saint sighed, caressing Baby's chin.
Baby blinked slowly in confusion. "You do?" he asked quietly.
Saint nodded. "Just before I arrived at the airport, I heard her telling her friend how you... you know." He breathed shakily, staring at Baby's guilty face.
"I'm sorry for hurting you, Saint. I thought I was protecting us, but I see now how dysfunctional we are without each other. I love you, baby, please?" He lowered his eyes between them. "Make love to me?" he whispered.
Saint groaned and hugged Baby too tightly, his face buried in Baby's neck. "I just wanted us to be together, Baby. Just be together –"
"But I miss you, Saint... I miss you way deep inside me. Reset my fucking brain, Kross. Don't hold back," he whispered, grinding his hips against Saint's leg.
Saint gasped, his grip tightening painfully on Baby's hips to steady him.
"You keep saying you miss me like I'm not the one who has to live without you every time you run." He whispered.
Baby whimpered softly, brushing his nose against Saint's, "Fuck me." He breathed slowly.
Saint groaned lowly, "I've endured for quite a while, Baby. Are you sure? I might..." his eyes studied Baby's face, "I might leave marks. I won't just be fucking you, I'll be marking you..." his fingers dug into Baby's hips, "I'm desperate to remind myself who you belong to..." he whispered huskily.
He cupped Baby's chin, eyes heated with hunger, "Because every time you walk away, I forget how to breathe."
Baby's eyes glazed over at Saint's words. "I packed accordingly. Your marks will be well covered," he assured slowly, cupping Saint's chin. "Now, quit talking and show me exactly how you wish to mark me," he purred, his hand sliding between them again—and this time Saint didn't stop him.