Hudson lifted his head. “What?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. Before Syria, even.“ His eyes were on the ceiling. “I want to study engineering. I think it’s time I decide for myself.”
Hudson’s stomach fluttered. Elliot was leaving the military. He would be out of harm's way. Safe.Happy. Tears prickled behind his eyes. “Okay.”
“Yeah? That’s it?” Elliot’s eyes found his.
“Elliot.” Hudson reached up and kissed his lips. “I think it’s the best idea you’ve ever had. And you’ve had some good ones.” He paused. “I want you to be happy.”
Elliot closed his eyes, but said nothing.
Hudson laid back down. “Also… It’s kind of perfect. You can be in charge of the house. And the kids.”
Before he even finished the sentence, Elliot was sitting up. “What?”
“Kids.” Hudson looked at him, all innocence. “You know. Small people. Loud. Sticky hands. We should get some.”
“You’re suggesting I become a stay at home dad while you chase reckless highs in a helicopter?”
“And study engineering,” Hudson added helpfully. “I’m not a monster.”
Elliot stared at him deadpan. Then he lay back down, clearly done pursuing his mad ideas.
Hudson waited approximately eight seconds. “Just one,” he said. “To start.”
“Go to sleep.”
“Two is a good number. You have enough attention for two?—”
“Tété de mûle.”
“Huh?”
“You’re a stubborn ass. More or less.”
Hudson grinned into his shoulder, then turned serious. “I think about it a lot though. Having kids. Doing it right.” He paused. “Our dads weren’t exactly a high bar.”
“No,” Elliot said finally. “They were not.”
“Someone should do better.”
Elliot exhaled and draped his arm around Hudson’s back. “Yes,” he said. “Someone should.”
Hudson closed his eyes.
He thought about two little boys who learned to keep up the hard way. Both living in the shadows of their fathers. Both here, years later, in a summer house in Lyon. At rest.
In the arms of someone who wasn’t going anywhere.
