I’ve been holding myself so rigid and now I can feel myself loosening, crackling like thawing ice, and I let out an almost startled whimper as Oliver guides me to my feet. He holds me and everything feels okay.

It isn’t. I know it isn’t and maybe it won’t be for a long time, but there’s a relief in knowing that there will be good moments. I can let the man I love chase it all away for a little bit. I can still feel good things.

I grab at his waist, hands sliding to the small of his back as I pull him in closer, one hand lifting to his jaw as we kiss each other like nothing else matters.

Because for right now, nothing else does.