In that moment, he saw that Ethan didn’t run because he didn’t want to be near him. He ran because he was in freefall, and about to crash and burn.
Well, he was here now.
Gene would take over.
To be honest, Gene was worried for his man. There was fear etched into the worry lines around his mouth, and he knew that look.
Ethan was one trauma away from complete and total meltdown.
The last time he’d seen that fear in his eyes, it was when he’d been in the hospital after being clocked in the head by a cuckoo, or when he’d kicked in the door and shot the man who was about to kill him.
This was a deep fear that had him by the balls.
Gene knew he needed to help him find his way out of it before it consumed him whole.
“I’ve got you,” he said, carrying him up the driveway, and toward the cabin. “You’re not alone now,” he added.
Ethan just held on.
He couldn’t believe that someone loved him this much that he’d show up here. His moral compass was back, and now, Ethan might have a fighting chance.
He wasn’t alone in this.
“Please,” he said. “I can’t do this by myself,” he added. “I’m spiraling.”
Oh, he was well aware.
Gene stared into his eyes.
“I’ve got you, Baby,” he promised. “I won’t drop you.”
And he wouldn’t.
The most reliable, sturdy person in his life had once more proven he would show up when no one else would. His own family bailed to avoid seeing him, but this man…
He was here.
In that moment, Ethan knew that he would be okay. No matter what, he knew that he’d pull through. Somehow, he just instinctively could feel it to his soul.
The cavalry was here.
His hero was here.
“I had to quit,” he whispered. “He took my badge because I wouldn’t go to Puerto Rico alone.”
Oh, well, he was aware, and the‘he’in question had gotten what he’d deserved for trying to break Ethan. There was no doubt in Gene’s mind that it was about studying them like it was a social experiment.
Yeah, fuck, no.
Now, he had more ammo in his belt to help fight off their boss if he came for them again.
IFhe was dumb enough.
Because his man had to be cold from sweating and being out in the flurries, Gene got them inside the cabin and carried him toward the couch.
The whole time, Ethan was still holding on for dear life.
“I have something for you,” he said, making the man release him. “Here,” he offered, reaching around to the back of his body under his coat, and retrieving what he knew Ethan needed.
