Page 3 of Conflict Conclusion

Alarm bells went off in James’ head, but when his phone vibrated a fourth time, his Leon alarm bells rang just a little bit louder.

“I’ll make sure to be there, then,” he said.

His mom raised a steady hand and placed it against his cheek. “I’m really glad you’re here, James. It will be wonderful getting to spend so much time with you.”

A ball of guilt, equipped with spikes and barbs, settled in James’ stomach. He had spent almost every evening the past week at Leon’s place and had even missed his Saturday lunch with his mom to go to a Rainbow Bean fundraiser with Leon and Aspen.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been⁠—”

His mom patted his cheek, a little harder this time. “Go get some rest, honey, and remember to dress ‘cruise casual,’ whatever the heck that means.”

James couldn’t help but smile, and his mom tweaked his dimple before leading the way back into the living room. With a quick nod to Linda and Howard, he was able to escape into his room, and after shutting the door, he threw himself onto the bed and finally checked his phone.

Leon

Did you get onto the ship okay?

You could have woken me up to say goodbye, but I do appreciate the extra sleep, especially since Yarmen was making a fucking racket all morning.

He says hi, by the way.

He misses you already, because he’s a sap.

Before James could respond, the typing bubbles appeared, and a fifth text came through.

Leon

Which I guess means I’m also a fucking sap, because I miss you, too.

James thumbs-up reacted to the first message, laughing-crying emoji-ed the second, and hearted the rest.

James

I miss you and Yarmen, too. We just got to the suite. It’s nice, but I think I’m going to take a nap for a bit.

He debated telling Leon about his weird conversation with his mom, not wanting to accidentally pass any of his own anxiety onto Leon, but that was what boyfriends were for, right? Even when said boyfriend was acting a little clingier than usual, and alarm bells were still blaring in James’ aching head.

James: Mom really wants me to be up in time for dinner. It sounds like she wants to talk about something, or…I don’t know. Either way, I’m going to put my phone on do not disturb, but you can call me if you need anything, and it will come through.

James had programmed Leon’s number to ring through his do not disturb, after he’d missed Leon’s first post-nightmare call. Even just thinking about waking up to three missed calls from Leon had that spiky ball growing in his belly.

Leon

Get some rest. Yarmen and I will be fine.

Love you.

James smiled to himself, and right as he reached for the button on the side of his phone, another text popped up.

Leon: Jesus, Yarmen just tried to sit on my face, so I guess he wants me to tell you he loves you, too.

The pain in James’ stomach disappeared, replaced by the glowing warmth he’d come to associate with his boyfriend.

James

Love you both, too. Have fun with Aspen this afternoon.

With that, James buried his face in his pillow and promptly fell asleep.