“How ya feeling today?”

AJ grunted, his face half-hidden by his pillow.

“Yeah, I feel like that sometimes, too...” Sitting on the other side of the bed, Kevin placed his hand on AJ’s bare back. Casually, he let it slide back and forth. “I really want to know how you are.”

Sighing, AJ turned to his other side, and allowed Kevin to see his tears. “Bad,” he replied, choking on his word.

“Tell me.”

“It’s really hard today. I just...can’t-” His words struggled. He didn’t know what to say, or how to say it, but he certainly knew he felt it.

“It’s okay,” Kevin whispered, and took AJ by his upper arms. He carefully dragged the smaller man into his lap, AJ helping with a slight, half-hearted crawl. In the reassuring grip of Kevin’s arms, AJ smothered himself in the cotton-covered warmth of Kevin’s chest.

Kevin’s grip tightened and he again assured, “It’s okay, AJ. I love you. I care. It’ll be okay. Tell me, what’s making you hurt?”

Sniffling, AJ replied with, “The world.”

“The world?” Kevin repeated, his tone soft and considerate, like he was talking to a child. “The world is a heavy weight to hold, isn’t it?”

AJ nodded, clutching Kevin back now.

“But you don’t have to hold it.”

“Yes I do. I have to hold everything. And I can’t, I-I-”

“You’re not on your own, AJ. We’re here. We love you, and we’re together. You may have to hold up the world sometimes, but just remember--you’re not alone. We’ll always be standing right there with you. You won’t be alone. It won’t be all on you.”

AJ sighed. “I know...” More warm tears slipped from the water overflowing in his eyes.

Kevin kissed AJ. “I love you. I need you to know. To remember. All of us do. But I will always be there.”

“I know.” Closing his eyes, AJ tried to calm his breathing, and relax into the comfort of Kevin. “Thank you, Kevin.”

Kevin continued to hold him like that, whispering reassuring things, kissing his head, and even rocking slightly. This wasn’t the first time Kevin had done it, and it wouldn’t be the last. Whether AJ said he wanted Kevin to or not, Kevin would be there, and he would care. And he wouldn’t be afraid to make it known. It needed to be known, and constantly reassured.

AJ knew he didn’t have to be afraid with Kevin, either. He could let himself go, without having to worry about his image. Without having to worry at all.

They hadn’t acknowledged the other boy in the room, the one who had entered not too long after Kevin. And he didn’t leave. He watched, though, not knowing how he felt about that before him. Maybe jealous. Maybe confused. Maybe worried. Maybe afraid.

Finally Kevin looked up, and it became clear to Nick that Kevin knew of his presence the entire while.

“I-I’ll go.”

“Come here, Nick.” Kevin held out his arm--a place for Nick.

“I-”

Kevin motioned to him, his assurance for Nick to just join them.

Nick slipped off his shoes, then crawled up the end of the bed, and nestled into the place Kevin had provided for him. One arm held Nick, half his chest rested against Kevin’s side and the other against AJ’s back, Nick held AJ, too.

“You’re my baby, too,” Kevin whispered, and kissed Nick’s head.

“I love you guys a lot, too.”