"Please," he sighed, fingers winding into Fai's shirt like a security blanket, trying to calm himself with the familiar scent of him, the laundry detergent he used and the brighter, prettier scents of soaps and perfumes, and the sharp, clean smell of the chemistry lab, and under it all, Fai. "Like I'd let anyone bring me down, babe. Who do you think is out there that I can't handle?"

Anyone didn't include Fai. He was special. An exception to everything.

Feeling exhausted already by the effort of... not lying, but not being truthful with Fai, he got them turned around and dragged him towards the little blanket nest that had already been prepared.