Chapter 31

They were married, and even though they had fought about getting a divorce, they hadn't signed any papers. All William wanted was to hold hands. Such a simple thing, no need to overthink it. If he wanted to hold hands, Brian would gladly take his.

The car wasn't very well-lit, so Brian didn't notice that William's face was red the entire ride home. William kept sneaking glances at the hand that Brian had held.

People can be so greedy sometimes. When it comes to relationships, once you can hold hands, you start thinking about kissing. Once you can kiss, you start thinking about touching, and so on.

But William wasn't the slow and steady type. As a soldier, he believed in being fast and efficient. Since they could hold hands, why not share a bed?

Don't get the wrong idea; he didn't mean anything lewd. He just wanted to sleep in the same bed, side by side.

After all the fighting and the hospital visit, they were finally at peace. It was late at night.

Brian's hand was injured, and he was sweating. He took a quick shower, changed into pajamas, and got into bed. He started going through some documents he brought back.

William, freshly showered and wearing only boxers, stood in the living room contemplating the important question of where to sleep.

The guest room was available, fully equipped with a bed, blankets, TV, and a private bathroom.

The living room couch was also luxurious and comfy.

Or he could sleep on the floor, as he had done before.

No, William thought, stroking his chin. He woke up in bed, which meant Brian didn't mind him sleeping there. If Brian was okay with it, why would he sleep anywhere else? Plus, he had a good reason: Brian was injured, and he could take care of him.

But what if Brian was still mad about the wrist incident and kicked him out of bed?

There was only one way to find out. If he got kicked out, he could sleep on the floor. No big deal.

William quietly opened the bedroom door. Brian was on the phone. He glanced at William but said nothing.

William placed his own pillow and blanket on the bed, keeping an eye on Brian.

Brian was still on the phone, engrossed in the conversation.

William slowly lifted one leg onto the bed, still watching Brian.

Brian hung up and picked up some documents, moving them to the other side of the bed.

William sat down on the bed. Brian didn't react. William quickly pulled back the covers and was about to lie down next to Brian.

"Wait, don't sleep yet," Brian said.

"I'm not sleeping on the floor, the couch, or the guest room. I want to sleep here in bed to take care of you," William declared, clutching the pillow and blanket as if he was ready to wrestle the bed for them. He was determined not to be banished to the floor.

"I need you to help me write something. My hand is not in good shape," Brian said.

William was relieved. He had feared Brian would get angry and kick him out of bed.

He sat up straight, and Brian handed him a stack of documents.

"Write down what I say at the end. Make it neat," Brian instructed.

William nodded and waited for Brian to start dictating. Brian leaned in to check where William was writing, then pointed to the last blank space.

As Brian dictated, William wrote. They went through agreements, disagreements, reasons, suggestions, and key points for further research. When William finished writing, he showed it to Brian.

Brian was flipping through various documents; the bed was covered in papers.

"Where's the land assessment report?" Brian muttered, picking up one paper after another.

William spotted the report near Brian's right hand. He leaned over Brian's back to grab it. As he sat back up, his arm still extended, Brian leaned back.

Suddenly, William found himself holding Brian in his arms.

They had been married for three years, and this was the first time they were this close without fighting or fooling around. Their faces were so close that with a slight tilt of the head, their lips could meet.

This was the first time William had ever held his husband like this.

Brian turned his head and saw William's face right next to his. His pale face turned bright red.

William, still the same old William, saw Brian's ears turn red and took his chance. He didn't retract his arm from behind Brian; instead, he placed it around Brian's waist and leaned in to give him a gentle nibble on the cheek.