36
As Ianto and Jack had taken the time to comfort and reconnect, Andy felt the need to distance himself from the drama as well.
Rhys found him in the back bedroom, sitting in the edge of the bed Rhys and Anwen used, staring into space with his chair sitting at the end of the bed like he had shoved it away from him.
"Hey" Rhys sat on Andy's single bed, opposite and looked at Andy, chewing his bottom lip.
"Hey" Andy echoed softly, "You OK?"
"Yeah" Rhys smiled, then rubbed at his face, betraying his lethargy.
"I heard you last night" Andy was watching Rhys as he pulled his jacket off so he could lay back on the bed, "You dreaming about her?"
"I keep seeing her, in the park" he admitted, "The way her face changed it was … shit. Scarier than the Predators"
"I'm sorry big guy" Andy said then groaned as his leg cramped.
Rhys moved over from the single bed to the double, sliding Andy back to the pillows and massaging the limb as Andy groaned softly.
"Wanted to lie in this patch of sun" Andy sighed, "God, my back is killing me."
Rhys climbed up his legs and placed pressure in his hips, pushing down gently and Andy grunted as he felt the release of pressure. This technique had worked in the past and it was a boon to have a way to ease it without asking Martha for help.
Rhys was looming above him, looking down at him as he let his weight adjust Andy's back and Andy reached up to slide his hands around Rhys' waist.
"I'm sorry she's hurt you teddy bear" Andy whispered, "I know how much you loved her."
"I used to think we were in this thing forever, us against the world, ya know?" Rhys sighed, "But, I look back at all the things I did to please her, all the sacrifices for bloody torchwood and I see that she never loved me the way I loved her."
"Sorry Teddy" Andy whispered, seeing the raw pain in his friend's eyes.
"I wonder if this was my fault" Rhys swallowed, his adams apple bobbing, "If I loved her more, if I had been a better partner she might have told me what was happening but …"
"Hey!" Andy interrupted him, tightening his arms around him, "Stop that! You loved the bones of her and she couldn't even love you enough to stop when you asked."
Rhys sighed and moved to one side, releasing the hips and Andy felt the tension in his back fade away as he rolled with him, still holding Rhys.
"Rhys, I … I know I'm not much, I mean … I'm just the leftovers from her and …"
Rhys cut him off by placing his mouth over his, applying slight pressure as they kissed and Andy's arms tightened as he sank into the kiss.
"Andy" Rhys sighed, "I've wanted to climb out of this bed and into that little one just to hold you. I've heard you crying and wanted so much ... so dammed much to help you but I thought you would push me away again."
"I never pushed you away, I was lashing out at everyone because I thought sooner or later I would be alone anyway"
"Ya bloody blouse! Rhys snorted, "I would never leave you, I love …."
They lay there staring at each other for a few heartbeats and Andy blushed.
"I think Anwen is big enough for her own bed, don't you?" Rhys whispered, holding Andy against him so their semi hard dicks were touching, "I don't know about you but I like this cuddling thing."
Andy snorted and rubbed his face into Rhys' chest, feeling safe for the first time in forever. "I dream too, the accident, over and over again."
"We'll take this slow, yeah?" Rhys spoke again, his voice booming against Andy's ear and it felt so soothing. "As slow as you like but I would like to be able to hold you, soothe you in the night."
"I would like that" Andy whispered still holding his face against that strong chest, "I would like that a whole lot."
"So tonight we just …this, just us here" Rhys smiled, "Nothing more, just two people seeking a little comfort in the dark, yeah?"
"I want … I want …."
"What do you want?"
"More." Andy's blush was fire across his cheeks now and he daren't' look at Rhys, "I think … I mean. I know. I love you."
Rhys couldn't speak as he clutched the thin body, feeling Andy shake with nervousness and he swallowed again, drawing strength from the arms encircling his waist.
"I love you too ya numpty" Rhys finally huffed and Andy laughed softly.
"I know we might never be ... you know, like Jack and Ianto. I know I will never inspire that level of passion in someone but …."
"Stop it!" Rhys growled softly, "Stop putting yourself down. You may be in need of a good feed but other than that … a wee bit of meat on these bones and I would say you were bloody perfect."
Andy considered replying and realized there was nothing to say.
Instead he lifted his head and looked into those kind, loving green eyes.
Rhys was smiling as his hands rubbed Andy's back, kneading and encouraging as Andy rolled forward.
That kiss was everything.