don't threaten me with a good time

Everest

Ever doesn't apologize for the eye exam, because he isn't sorry. Still, he flashes Mateo an understanding smile for having caused him discomfort. Thanks to the man who raised him and the mother he lost far too soon, Ever isn't the type to simply swaddle Mateo in affection the way the other man might need. But his love language, if it can be even thought of that way, is acts of service. And insofar as it is, Ever is happy to run his friend a bath, order them food, and yes, take the day off from work.

"Probably." Ever agrees a touch glumly. "She had her hand...well, it was almost..." Shaking his head at the memory of Cara's drunken weight against his shoulder and her hand sliding between his legs, the paramedic shivers. "No," He says honestly in response to Mateo's question. "But then...it was completely unexpected, and didn't last. By the time he'd managed to pull the knife out, two officers were on him." Ever adds, knowing that likely wasn't the answer Mateo had been hoping for. "I'm sorry this happened to you..." Pausing, near enough to the florist that he really should have been hugging him or holding his hand, or giving him a pat on the shoulder or something, Ever asks, "Do you want to tell me about it?"

I was a dead man walking,
with bloodshot eyes—right place, wrong time.