don't threaten me with a good time

Everest

Mateo says no, but that doesn’t stop Ever from tensing as the other man’s hand snakes out of the covers to ruffle his hair. Shockingly though, the gesture is so soothing that the paramedic nearly gasps as he feels muscles he hadn’t even realized had been locked into place, suddenly relax. Perhaps it was because it was such a Tobi gesture, and right on the heels of trauma that wore her face, it was impossibly reassuring. Smiling despite himself, Ever nods against his pillow. “I thought so, but I just wanted to check. “

“You’re my best friend too. Only...I don’t have many friends, so being the best of them isn’t hard. “ Ever mumbles, overthinking things. “But, even if I had more friends, I think I would still put you first.” He couldn’t say for sure, and careful as he was with his words, he’d never want to overcommit himself, even during a sleepy hypothetical conversation. “Thanks for being here.” Ever says, finding himself surprisingly lulled by the sound of rain. Perhaps because it wasn’t real, perhaps because if he listened hard enough he could hear where it looped. Patterns always helped calm him.

Later when Mateo eventually twined back around the paramedic, Ever would more easily accept the places they touched and found that for a few hours at least, the prolonged contact was actually quite comfortable.

even if i had to lose you to know you,
i'd still be that temporary phase that you grow through