Page 60 of The Broken Dawn

Harald blinked, something settling in his chest. "You sound like you're planning a campaign."

"I suppose I am." The corner of Jakob's mouth lifted in a half-smile. "That's what they've been teaching us, isn't it? How to hold ground against superior forces?"

"Together." Jakob's hand came up to cup Harald's face. "Carefully. One day at a time." He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against Harald's. "I don't have all the answers. "But I do know that whatever comes, I'd rather face it with you than without you."

"Even if it means⁠—"

"Even then." Jakobs voice was steady now, certain. "They can take everything else. But this—" his hand pressed over Harald's heart, "—this is ours. And I won't give it up without a fight."

Harald's eyes burned. "Neither will I," he whispered, the promise feeling like both surrender and defiance. He leaned forward, catching Jakob's mouth with his own, the kiss tasting of fear and hope and something deeper that neither of them dared name.

"Stay with me tonight?" The words slipped out before Hal could stop them, barely more than a whisper against Jakob's neck. "I don't want to be alone after... all that."

Jakob pulled back just enough to search Hal's face, his eyes serious in the lamplight. "Are you sure? If someone found out⁠—"

"Let them." A flash of something fierce crossed Hal's face. "If Christian's already watching, already reporting back... what difference does it make now?"

Jakob's thumb traced the line of Hal's jaw, his touch gentle where his eyes were fierce. "It makes every difference. If we're careful, we buy ourselves time."

"Time for what?" Hal asked, leaning into the touch despite himself.

"To figure out how to fight back." Jakob's voice was soft but certain. "To protect what matters."

The weight of those words hung between them, heavy with promise. Hal's fingers found Jakob's collar, not pulling him closer, just needing something to hold onto.

"You matter," he whispered, the confession raw. "More than I can say."

Something in Jakob's expression broke open at that. He leaned forward until their foreheads touched, his breath warm against Hal's lips. "Then I'll stay. Just for tonight."

Hal nodded, unable to form words around the tightness in his throat. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for the buttons of Jakob's formal uniform jacket. Jakob caught his fingers, stilling them.

"Let me," he murmured, bringing Hal's knuckles to his lips. The gesture was achingly tender. "You're shaking."

"Not from fear," Hal admitted, a flush spreading across his cheekbones. "Not anymore."

Jakob's smile was soft as he gently loosened Hal's tie, his movements deliberate, almost reverent. "We don't have to⁠—"

"I want to," Hal interrupted, his voice steadier than his hands. "I want every moment I can have to be close to you." The 'while I still can' wasn't voiced, but was there between them anyway.

Jakob made a desperate sound low in his throat. His fingers moved to the buttons of Hal's jacket, working them free with careful precision.

"You're sure?" he asked again, even as Hal's jacket fell open under his touch.

Instead of answering, Hal leaned forward to press his lips against Jakob's, a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened into something hungry. Jakob's hands slid inside his open jacket, palms flat against the thin fabric of his shirt, and Hal shivered at the heat of that touch.

"I've thought about this," Hal confessed against Jakob's mouth. "About having a bed. And time. About not having to rush."

Jakob pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, his own dark with want. "Tell me," he urged, working the buttons of Hal's shirt free. "Tell me what you've thought about."

"I want..." Hal swallowed hard. "I want more than we had at the lake. I want to really touch you." His voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes downcast and cheeks pink.

Jakob's breath caught audibly, his eyes darkening with sudden heat. "Yes," he breathed, the word half-groan. "Oh, Hal, yes."

They moved to the bed in a tangle of limbs and half-removed clothing, neither willing to break contact long enough to undress properly. Hal's fingers fumbled with the buttons of Jakob's uniform jacket, his usual grace abandoned in his urgency.

"Let me," Jakob murmured, stilling Hal's trembling hands. He worked his own buttons free with practiced efficiency, then reached for Hal's. "Your turn."

The reverence in Jakob's touch made Hal's breath catch. No one had ever looked at him like this before, like he was so precious they could hardly bring themselves to touch. Through his white shirt, he could feel the heat of Jakob's hands trembling slightly as they moved down his chest.