Malus didn’t even seem to react to the kiss; he just sniffled and wiped at his eyes. He didn’t have a chance to reply before Andalusite had teleported away, but it was probably for the best. He didn’t need the agent to think he was any weaker than he’d already presented himself to be—and Malus really needed to get home.

He waited a few seconds to make sure that Andalusite was gone before he heaved himself away from the bench and hurried towards his house. It wasn’t until he was almost home that he powered down, and the moment his uniform drifted away, he had his phone in his hands and was texting Tobias.

He didn’t want to be alone tonight, and even if Cambria and Zac were home, he wanted Tobias.

He might not be able to explain to his boyfriend why he was upset, or why he needed him so badly, but he needed the comfort he brought him. He wasn’t always good at asking for help, but Tobias was always good at reading between the lines.

Evan tried to make it easy, tonight.

He asked Tobias to come over, said that he had a bad night, and that he needed him.

Tobias was trying so hard for him; it was the least he could do in return.

Orangeish Sherbert