If Jay was messy, or too talkative, or emotionally needy, or wanted to be held all the time, all he felt from Alexei were these warm, delightful washes of affection. It was the nicest, most comforting thing Jay had ever experienced in all his life. Who knew love could feel so good? Who knew it didn’t have to hurt? That you didn’t have to push down parts of yourself just to be accepted?
