Page 34 of How Not to Date a Griffin

“I changed my mind,” he said softly.

Nolan’s eyes widened.

“I don’t wanna see you around,” Reid said, the words tumbling out of him. “I want to see you right now. And tomorrow. And the day after. I know you’re only here this week, and I don’t know what will happen after Friday, but—“

“Yes,” Nolan interrupted him, lips curling into a wide smile. It was real, unlike the one Reid had worn all day at the conference, dimples absent of the frame of tension, eyes crinkled in genuine joy. “Are you free right now?”

Oh thank god.

“Yep. All night,” he said, reeling. Is this happening?

“Good. Come with me,” Nolan said, stepping forward. Reid moved back to give him room, and the door shut with a decisive click, echoing in the hallway. Nolan grabbed his hand, and this time Reid was the one being pulled off in whatever direction. This one just happened to be toward the elevators.

“Where are we going?” Reid asked.

“It’s a surprise,” Nolan answered, that smile still stamped on his face.

Reid wanted to kiss him.

He barely refrained from doing so as the elevator doors closed on them, but he didn’t know if that would be… welcome.

It had been less than fifteen hours ago that they’d been entwined with one another beneath the shower spray, but then again, it had only been about six since Reid had stupidly decided he wanted nothing to do with the man.

Stupid, because how could he deny himself this? This brightness in his chest, like coming home, as if Nolan was his North Star.

“I’m sorry,” Reid said, and Nolan’s head snapped around to him, his smile lessening in surprise.

“What for?” he asked, bewildered, thumb beginning to rub a pattern into Reid’s skin.

Did Nolan know what he was doing to Reid? He struggled to catch a breath.

“I dunno, just… writing you off like that.”

“Oh,” Nolan breathed, as if only just remembering the way they’d last parted. “Well, that’s… quite alright, I think.”

Reid stared at him.

“I just mean, I don’t blame you.” He sighed, shaking his head just as Reid parted his lips to protest. “I don’t mean that in a self-derogatory manner. I’m part of something that could end up hurting you, and that’s very real, and something you have every right to feel any kind of emotion about.”

Reid wanted to respond, even opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He flatlined, he was pretty sure. He felt like an old desktop that had been rebooted, the fans slowing to a stop and his memory going offline for a break.

Who was this guy?

Whoever he was, Reid had to kiss him.

He turned to face Nolan, hand sliding against his until Reid pushed him back into the mirrored wall, pressing Nolan’s back then his hand against the surface. Reid could hear his breath catch, watch his eyes go wide as Reid erased the space between them.

“Any kind of emotion, hm?”

Nolan nodded frantically.

“And what if I was angry?” Reid asked, gaze dipping to Nolan’s lips. The way he darted his tongue out to wet them.

“Oh. Well, that’s certainly allowed. I would understand… that.” Nolan’s words trailed off as his attention dropped to Reid’s lips, and then up to his eyes, and back down.

“What if I was mad? So mad I just wanna… fucking kiss you about it,” Reid said, lowering his head to Nolan’s.

Their lips brushed once – a tease, a test – and then again, petal-soft as neither of them moved away, and a third time, mouths crushing together like the other held the only air they’d ever need.